Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

There are, 'tis true, who tell another tale, 15 That virtuous ladies envy while they rail, Such rage without betrays the fire within; In fome clofe corner of the foul, they fin; Still hoarding up moft fcandaloufly nice, Amidft their virtues a reserve of vice. The godly dame, who fleshly failings damns, Scolds with her maid, or with her chaplain crams. Would you enjoy soft nights and folid dinners?

20

Faith, gallants, board with faints, and bed with fin

ners.

25

Well, if our Author in the Wife offends, He has a Husband that will make amends: He draws him gentle, tender, and forgiving, And fure fuch kind good creatures may be living. In days of old, they pardoned breach of vows, Stern Cato's felf was no relentless spouse: Plu--Plutarch, what's his name, that writes his life? that Cato dearly lov'd his Wife: Yet if a friend, a night or fo, fhould need her, He'd recommend her as a special breeder. To lend a wife, 'few here would fcruple make, 35

Tells us,

30

Tho' with the Stoic Chief our stage may ring,
The Stoic Hufband was the glorious thing.
The man had courage, was a fage, 'tis true, 39
And lov'd his country---but what's that to you?
Those strange examples ne'er were made to fit ye,
But the kind cuckold might instruct the City:
There, many an honest man may copy Cato,
Who ne'er faw naked fword, or look'd in Plato.
If, after all, you think it a difgrace, 45
That Edward's Mifs thus perks it in your face;
To see a piece of failing flesh and blood,
In all the reft fo impudently good;

Faith, let the modest Matrons of the town 49

Come here in crouds and ftare the ftrumpet down,

Tho' with the Stoic Chief our ftage may ring,
The Stoic Husband was the glorious thing.
The man had courage, was a fage, 'tis true, 39
And lov'd his country---but what's that to you?
Those strange examples ne'er were made to fit ye,
But the kind cuckold might instruct the City:
There, many an honest man may copy Cato,
Who ne'er faw naked fword, or look'd in Plato.
If, after all, you think it a difgrace, 45
That Edward's Mifs thus perks it in your face;
To see a piece of failing flesh and blood,

In all the rest so impudently good;

Faith, let the modeft Matrons of the town

49

Come here in crouds and ftare the ftrumpet down,

« ZurückWeiter »