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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/13800-0.txt b/13800-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c077e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/13800-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1232 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13800 *** + +THE PLEASURES OF A SINGLE LIFE + +Or, The Miseries of Matrimony + +Occasionally Writ Upon the many DIVORCES lately Granted by Parliament. + +WITH THE CHOICE, +OR, THE _Pleasures of a Country_-LIFE. + +_Dedicated to the_ Beaus _against the next Vacation._ + +_London_: Printed and Sold by _H. Hills_, in _Black-fryars_, +near the Water-side. 1709. _Price One Penny._ + + + + + + + +Wedlock, oh! Curs'd uncomfortable State, +Cause of my Woes, and Object of my hate. +How bless'd was I? Ah, once how happy me? +When I from those uneasie Bonds were free; +How calm my Joys? How peaceful was my Breast, +Till with thy fatal Cares too soon opprest, +The World seem'd Paradice, so bless'd the Soil +Wherein I liv'd, that Business was no Toil; +Life was a Comfort, which produc'd each day +New Joys, that still preserv'd me from decay, +Thus Heav'n first launch'd me into pacifick Seas, +Where free from Storms I mov'd with gentle Breeze; +My Sails proportion'd, and my Vessell tite, } +Coasting in Pleasures-Bay I steer'd aright, } +Pallac'd with true Content, and fraighted with delight } + +Books my Companions were wherein I found +Needful Advice, without a noisy Sound, +But was with friendly pleasing silence taught, +Wisdom's best Rules, to fructify my Thought, +Rais'd up our Sage Fore-fathers from the dead, } +And when I pleas'd, invok'd them to my Aid, } +Who at my Study-Bar without a Fee would plead: } +Whilst I Chief Justice sat, heard all their Sutes, +And gave my Judgment on their learn'd Disputes; +Strove to determine ev'ry Cause aright, +And for my Pains found Profit and Delight, +Free from Partiality; I fear'd no blame, +Desir'd no Brib'ry, and deserv'd no Shame, +But like an upright Judge, grudg'd no Expence +Of time, to fathom Truth with Diligence, +Reading by Day, Contemplating by Night, +Till Conscience told me that I judg'd aright, +Then to my Paper-World I'd have recourse, +And by my Maps run o'er the Universe; +Sail round the Globe, and touch at every Port, +Survey those Shoars where Men untam'd resort, +View the old Regions where the _Persian_ Lord +Taught Wooden Deities first to be Ador'd, +Ensnar'd at last to Sacrifice his Life +To the base Pride of an Adult'rous Wife, +And where the _Grecian_ Youth to Arms inur'd. } +The hungry Soil with _Persian_ Blood manur'd, } +Where bold _Busephilus_ brutal Conduct show'd, } +The force of monstrous Elephants withstood, +And with his Rider waded through a purple Flood. + +Then would I next the _Roman_ Field survey, +Where brave _Fabricius_ with his Army lay; +Fam'd for his Valour, from Corruption free, +Made up of Courage and Humility. +That when Encamp'd the good Man lowly bent, +Cook'd his own Cabbage in his homely Tent: +And when the _Samaites_ sent a Golden Sum, +To tempt him to betray his Country _Rome_, +The Dross he scoffingly return'd untold, } +And answer'd with a Look serenely bold, } +That _Roman_ Sprouts would boil without their _Grecian_ Gold: } +Then eat his Cale-worts for his Meal design'd, +And beat the _Grecian_ Army when he'd din'd. + +Thus wou'd I range the World from Pole to Pole; +To encrease my Knowledge, and delight my Soul; +Travel all Nations and inform my Sence; +With ease and safety, at a small Expence: +No Storms to plough, no Passengers Sums to pay, +No Horse to hire, or Guide to show the way, +No _Alps_ to clime, no Desarts here to pass, +No Ambuscades, no Thief to give me chase; +No Bear to dread, or rav'nous Wolf to fight, +No Flies to sting, no Rattle-Snakes to bite; +No Floods to ford, no Hurricans to fear; +No dreadful Thunder to surprize the Ear; +No Winds to freeze, no Sun to scorch or fry, +No Thirst, or Hunger, and Relief not nigh. +All these Fatiegues and Mischiefs could I shun; } +Rest when I pleas'd, and when I please Jog on, } +And travel through both _Indies_ in an Afternoon. } + +When the Day thus far pleasingly was spent, +And every Hour admin'stred Content, +Then would I range the Fields, and flow'ry Meads, +Where Nature her exub'rant Bounty spreads, +In whose delightful Products does appear +Inimitable Beauty ev'ry where; +Contemplate on each Plant, and useful Weed, +And how its Form first lay involved in Seed, +How they're preserv'd by Providential Care, +For what design'd, and what their Virtues are. +Thus to my Mind by dint of Reason prove, +That all below is ow'd to Heaven above, +And that no Earthly Temporals can be, +But what must Center in Eternity. +Then gaze aloft, whence all things had their Birth, +And mount my prying Soul 'twixt Heaven and Earth, +Thus the sweet Harmonv o' th' whole admire, } +And by due Search new Learning still aquire, } +So nearer ev'ry day to Truths Divine aspire. } + +When tir'd with thought, then from my Pocket pluck +Some friendly dear Companion of a Book, +Whose homely Calves-skin fences did contain +The Verbal Treasure of some Old good Man: +Made by long study and experience wise, +Whose piercing thoughts to Heavenly knowledge rise, +Amongst whose Pious Reliques I would find, +Rules for my Life, Rich Banquets for my mind, +Such pleasing Nectar, such Eternal Food, +That well digested, makes a Man a God; +And for his use at the same time prepares +On Earth a Heav'n in spight of worldly Cares, +The day in these Enjoyments would I spend, +But chuse at Night my Bottle and my Friend, +Took prudent care that neither were abus'd, +But with due Moderation both I us'd. +And in one sober Pint found more delight, +Then the insatiate Sot that swills all Night; +Ne'er drown my Senses, or my Soul debase. +Or drink beyond the relish of my blass +For in Excess good Heav'ns design is Crost, +In all Extreams the true Enjoyments lost, +Wine chears the Heart, and elevates the Soul, +But if we surfeit with too large a Bowl, +Wanting true Aim we th' happy Mark o'er Shoot, +And change the Heavenly Image to a Brute. +So the great _Grecian_ who the World subdu'd, +And drown'd whole Nations in a Sea of Blood; +At last was Conquer'd by the Power of Wine, +And dy'd a Drunken Victime to the Vine. +My Friend, and I, when o'er our Bottle sat, +Mix'd with each Glass some inoffensive Chat, +Talk'd of the World's Affairs, but still kept free +From Passion, Zeal, or Partiality; +With honest freedom did our thoughts dispense, +And judg'd of all things with indifference; +Till time at last did our Delights invade, +And in due season separation made, +Then without Envy, Discord or Deceit, +Part like true Friends as loving as we meet. +The Tavern change to a domestick scene, +That sweet Retirement, tho it's ne'er so mean. +Thus leave each other in a Cheerful Plight, +T' enjoy the silent Pleasures of the Night, +When home return'd, my Thanks to Heaven pay, +For all the past kind Blessing of the Day; +No haughty Help-mate to my Peace molest, +No treacherous Snake to harbour in my Breast: +No fawning Mistress of the Female Art, +With _Judas_ Kisses to betray my Heart; +No light-tail'd Hypocrite to raise my Fears, +No vile Impert'nence to torment my Ears; +No molted Off spring to disturb my Thought, +In Wedlock born but G----d knows where begot; +No lustful _Massalina_ to require +Whole Troops of Men to feed her Brutal Fire? +No Family Cares my quiet to disturb; +No Head-strong Humours to asswage or Curb +No Jaring Servants, no Domestick strife, } +No Jilt, no Termagent, no Faithless Wife, } +With Vinegar or Gall, to sowre or bitter Life. } + +Thus freed from all that could my Mind annoy, +Alone my self, I did my self enjoy: +When Nature call'd, I laid me down to rest, +With a sound Body, and a peaceful Breast; +Hours of Repose with Constancy I kept, +And Guardian Angels watch'd me as I slept, +In lively Dreams reviving as I lay, +The Pleasures of the last precedent day, +Thus whilst I singly liv'd, did I possess } +By Day and Night incessant Happiness, } +Content enjoy'd awak'd, and sleeping found no less. } + +But the Curs'd Fiend from Hell's dire Regions sent, +Ranging the World to Man's Destruction bent, +Who with an Envious Pride beholding me, +Advanc'd by Virtue to Felicity, +Resolv'd his own Eternal wretched state, +Should be in part reveng'd by my sad Fate; +And to at once my happy Life betray +Flung Woman, Fathless Woman in my way: +Beauty she had, a seeming Modest Mein, } +All Charms without, but Devil all within, } +Which did not yet appear, but lurk'd, alas unseen. } +A fair Complexion far exceeding Paint, +Black sleepy Eyes that would have Charm'd a Saint; +Her Lips so soft and sweet, that ev'ry Kiss, +Seem'd a short Tast of the Eternal Bliss; +Her set of Teeth so Regular and White, +They'd show their Lustre in the darkest Night; +Round her Seraphick Face so fair and young, +Her Sable Hair in careless Dresses hung, +Which added to her beauteous Features, show'd +Like some fair Angel peeping through a Cloud? +Her Breasts, her Hands, and every Charm so bright, +She seem'd a Sun by Day, a Moon by Night; +Her shape so ravishing, that every Part, +Proportion'd was to the nicest Rules of Art: +So awful was her Carriage when she mov'd, +None could behold her, but he fear'd and lov'd, +She danc'd well, sung well, finely plaid the Lute, +Was always witty in her Words, or Mute; +Obliging, not reserv'd, nor yet too free, +But as a Maid divinely bless'd should be; +Not vainly gay, but decent in Attire, } +She seem'd so good, she could no more acquire } +Of Heaven, than what she had, & Man no more desire: } +Fortune, like God and Nature too was kind, +And to these Gifts a copious Sum had joyn'd +Who could the power of such Temptations shun; +What frozen _Synick_ from her Charms could run: +What Cloister'd Monk could see a Face so bright, } +But quit his Beads and follow Beauty's Light, } +And by Its Lustre hope to shun Eternal Night. } +I so bewitch'd, and poyson'd with her Charms, +Believ'd the utmost Heaven was in her Arms, +Methoughts the Goodness, in her Eyes I see, +Spoke her the Off-spring of some Deity. +Now Books and Walks, would no content afford, +She was the only Good to be Ador'd. +In her fair Looks alone delight I found, +Love's raging Storms all other Joys had drown'd. +By Beauty's _Ignis fatuus_ led astray, +Bound for Content, I lost my happy way +Of Reason's faithful Pilot now bereft, +Was amongst Rocks and Shelves in danger left, +There must have perish'd, as I fondly thought, +Lest her kind Usage my Salvation wrought; +Her happy Aid I labour'd to obtain, +Hop'd for Success, yet fear'd her sad Disdain, +Tortur'd like dying Convicts whilst they live, +'Twixt fear of Death, and hopes of a Reprieve. +First for her smallest Favours did I sue, +Crept, Fawn'd and Cring'd, as Lovers us'd to do? +Sigh'd e'er I spoke, and when I spoke look'd Pale, +In words confus'd disclos'd my mournful Tale? +Unpractised and Amour's fine Speeches coin'd, +But could not utter what I well design'd. +Warm'd by her Charms 'gainst Bashfulness I strove, +And trembling far, and stammer'd out my Love; +Told her how greatly I admir'd and fear'd, +Which she 'twixt Coyness and Compassion heard, +Grutch'd no Expence of Money, or of Time, +And thought that not to adore her was a Crime; +The more each Visit I acquainted grew, +Yet every time found something in her new. +Who was above her Sex so fortunate, +She had a Charm for Man in every State; +Beauty for the Youthful, Prudence for the Old, +Scripture for the Godly, for the Miser Gold; +Wit for the Ingenious, silence for the Grave, +Flatt'ry for the Fool, and Cunning for the Knave: +Compounded thus of such Varieties, } +She had a knack to every Temper please, } +And as her self thought fit was every one of these. } +I lov'd, I sigh'd and vow'd, talk'd, whin'd, and pray'd, +And at her Feet my panting Heart I lay'd; +She smil'd, then frown'd, was now reserv'd, then free, +And as she plaid her part, oft chang'd her Key; +Not through Fantastick Humour but Design, +To try me throughly e'er she should be mine, +Because she wanted in one Man to have, +A Husband, Lover, Cuckold and a Slave. +So Travellers, before a Horse they buy, +His Speed, his Paces, and his Temper try, +Whether he'll answer Whip and Spur, thence Judge, +If the poor Beast will prove a patient Drudge: +When she by wiles had heightned my Desire, +And fain'd Love's sparkles to a raging Fire; +Made now for Wedlock, or for _Bedlam_ fit. +Thus Passion gain'd the upper-hand of Wit, +The Dame by pity, or by Interest mov'd, +Or else by Lust, pretended now she lov'd; +After long-sufferings, her Consent I got. } +To make me happy, as I hop'd and thought, } +But oh, the wretched hour I ty'd the _Gordian_ Knot. } + +Thus thro' mistake I rashly plung'd my Life +Into that Gulph of Miseries a Wife. +With joyful Arms I thus embrac'd my Fare, +Believ'd too soon, was undeceiv'd too late; +So hair-brain'd Fools to _Indian_ Climates rove, +With a vain hope their Fortunes to improve; +There spend their slender Cargoes, then become +Worse Slaves abroad than e'er they were at home +When a few Weeks were wasted I compar'd, +With all due moderation and regard, +My former freedom, with my new restraint, +Judging which State afforded most content. +But found a single Life as calm and gay, +As the delightful Month of blooming _May_, +Not chill'd with Cold, or scorch'd with too much heat. } +Not plagu'd with flying Dust, nor drown'd with wet, } +But pleasing to the Eyes, and to the Nostrils sweet. } + +But Wedlock's like the blustring Month of _March_, +That does the Body's Maims and Bruises search, +Brings by cold nipping Storms unwelcom Pains, +And finds, or breeds, Distempers in our Veins; +Renews old Sores, and hastens on Decay, +And seldom does afford one pleasant Day. +But Clouds dissolve, or raging Tempest blow, +And untile Houses, like the wrangling Shrow; +Thus _March_ and Marriage justly may be said, } +To be alike, then sure the Man is Mad, } +That loves such changling Weather where the best is bad. } + +Though I once happy in a single Life, +Yet Shipwrack'd all upon that Rock a Wife. +By Gold and Beauties Powerful Charms betray'd, +To the dull drugery of a Marriage-Bed; +That Paradise for Fools, a Sport for Boys, +Tiresom its Chains, and brutal are its Joys, +Thou nauseous Priestcraft that to soon appear'd, +Not as I hop'd, but worse than what I fear'd. +All her soft Charms which I believ'd divine, +Marriage I thought had made them only mine; +Vain hope, alas for I too early found, +My Brows were with the Throne of Wedlock crown'd, +Jealousies, first from Reason rais'd a doubt, +And Fatal Chance th' unhappy Truth brought out; +Made it so plain from all Pretences free'd. +That wicked Woman no Excuse could plead; +And if she wants device to hide her Shame, +Hell can no Umbrage for Audult'ry frame. + +I though it prudence the Disgrace to hide, +Tho' rav'd and Storm'd, she Pardon beg'd and Cry'd. +Yet with false Protestations strove to Charm: +The Cuckold to believe she'd done no harm, +Tho' taken by surprize (O curse the Day) +Where all the Marks of past Enjoyment lay, +And she disorder'd by her lustful freeks +Had Shame and Horrour strugling in her Cheeks: +Yet, made Essays to clear her Innocence, +And hide her guilt with Lyes and Impudence; +For lustful Women like a vicious State, +Oft stifle Ills by others full as great, +But I convinc'd too plainly of her Guilt, +All her false Oaths and quick inventions spoilt, +Which when she'd used in vain she blush'd and cry'd, +And own'd her fault she found she could not hide. + +This I forgave, she promis'd to reclaim, +Vow'd future truth if I'd conceal the shame; +But what Strange Adamantine Chain can bind, +Woman corrupted to be just or kind: +Or how can Man to an adultress shew +That Love, which to a faithful Wife is due. +I strugled hard, and all my Passions chekt, +And chang'd Revenge into a mild Respect, +That Good for Ill return'd might touch hear near, +And Gratitude might bind her more tan fear; +My former Love I every day renew'd; +And all the Signals of Oblivion shew'd; +Wink'd at small Faults, wou'd no such Trifles mind, +As accidental Failings not designed. +I all things to her Temper easie made, +Scorn'd to reflect, and hated to upbraid; +She chose (and rich it was) her own Attire, +Nay, had what a proud Woman could desire. + +Thus the new Covenant I strictly kept, +And oft in private for her Failings wept, +Yet bore with seeming Cheerfulness those Cares, +That bring a Man too soon to grisled Hairs. + +But all this kindness I dispens'd in vain. +Where Lust and base Ingratitude remain. +Lust, which if once in Female fancy fix'd, +Burns like Salt Petre, with driy Touchwood mix'd: +And tho' cold Fear for time may stop its force, } +Twill soon like Fire confin'd, break out the worse, } +Or like a Tide obstucted, re-assume its course. } + +No Art cou'd e'e presume the stinking _Stote_, +Or change the lecherous Nature of the _Goat_. +No skilful Whitster ever found the flight, +To wash or bleach an _Ethiopian_ White. +No gentle Usage truly will Asswage, +A Tyger's fierceness, or a Lyon's rage, +Stripes and severe Correction is the way, +Whence once they're thro'ly Conquer'd, they'll obey, +'Tis Whip and Spur, Commanding Reign and Bit, +That makes the unruly head-strong Horse submit, +So stubborn faithless Woman must be us'd, +Or Man by Woman basely be abus'd. + +For after all the Endearments I should show, +At last she turn'd both Libertine and Shrow, +From my Submission grew perverse and proud, +Crabbed as Varges, and as Thunder loud; +Did what she pleas'd, would no Obedience own, +And redicul'd the Patience I had shown. +Fear'd no sharp threatnings, valued no disgrace, +But flung the wrongs she'd done me in my Face; +Grew still more head strong, turbulent and Lewd, +Filling my Mansion with a spurious brood. +Thus Brutal Lust her humane Reason drown'd, +And her loose Tail obliged the Country round; +Advice, Reproof, Pray'rs, Tears, were flung away, +For still she grew mord wicked ev'ry day; +Till By her equals scorn'd, my Servants fed, +The Brutal Rage of her adultrous bed. +Nay, in my absence trucled to my Groom, +And hug'd the servile Traytor in my Room; +When these strange Tydings, Thunder struck my Ear, +And such Inhumane Wrongs were made appear, +On these just Grounds for a Divorce I su'd, } +At last that head-strong Tyrant wife subdu'd, } +Cancel'd the marriage-bonds, and basterdiz'd her brood. } + +_Woman_, thou worst of all Church-plagues, farewel; +Bad at the best, but at the worst a Hell; +Thou truss of wormwood, bitter Teaz of Life, +Thou Nursery of humane cares a wife. +Thou Apple-Eating Trayt'riss who began +The Wrath of Heav'n, and Miseries of Man, +And hast with never-failing diligence, +Improv'd the Curse to humane Race e'er since. +Farewel Church-juggle that enslav'd my Life, +But bless that Pow'r that rid me of my Wife. +And now the Laws once more have set me free, +If Woman can again prevail with me, +My Flesh and Bones shall make my Wedding-Feast, } +And none shall be Invited as my Guest, } +T' attend my _Bride_, but th' _Devil_ and a _Priest_. } + +_FINIS._ + + + + +THE CHOICE, +OR, +THE Pleasures of a _Country_--LIFE, &c. + + +If Heav'n the grateful Liberty wou'd give, +That I might chuse my Method how to live +And all those Hours propitious Fate shou'd lend, +In blisful Ease and Satisfaction spend. + +Near some fair Town I'd have a private Seat, +Built Uniform, not little, nor to great: +Better if on a rising Ground it stood, +Fields on this side, on that a Neighb'ring Wood. +It shou'd within no other things contain, +But what are Useful, Necessary Plain: +Methinks 'tis Nauseous, and I'd ne'er endure +The needless pomp of gawdy Furniture: +A little Garden, gratefule to the Eye, +And a cool Rilvulet run Murmuring by: +On whose delicious Banks a stately Row, +Of shady Limes, or Sicamores, shou'd grow. +At th' end of which a silent Study plac'd, +Shou'd with the Noblest Authors there be grac'd. +_Horace_ and _Virgil_, in whose mighty Lines, +Immortal Wit, and solid Learning Shines. + +Sharp _Juvenal_, and am'rous _Ovid_ too, +Who all the turns of Loves soft passion knew: +He, that with Judgment reads his Charming Lines, +In which strong Art, with stronger Nature joyns, +Must grant, his Fancy does the best excell: +His Thoughts so tender, and exprest so well; +With all those Moderns, Men of steady Sense, +Esteem'd for Learning, and for Eloquence: +In some of these, as Fancy shou'd advise, +I'd always take my Morning Exercise. +For sure, no Minutes bring us more Content, +Than those in pleasing useful Studies Spent. + +I'd have a clear and competent Estate, +That I might live Genteely, but not Great. +As much as I cou'd moderately spend, +A little more somtimes t'oblige a Friend. +Nor shou'd the Sons of Poverty Repine +Too much at Fortune, they shou'd taste of mine, +And all that Objects of true Pity were, +Shou'd be reliev'd with what my Wants cou'd spare; +For what our Maker has too largely giv'n, +Shou'd be return'd in gratitude to Heav'n. +A frugal Plenty shou'd my Table spread, +With healthful, not luxurious Dishes fed: +Enough to satisfy, and something more +To feed the Stranger, and th' Neighb'ring Poor. +Strong Meat indulges Vice, and pampering Food +Creates Diseases, and inflames the Blood. +But what's sufficient to make Nature Strong, +And the bright Lamp of Life continue long, +I'd freely take, and as I did possess. +The bounteous Author of my Plenty bless. + +I'd have a little Cellar, Cool and Neat, +With Humming Ale, and Virgin Wine Repleat. +Wine whets the Wit, improves its Native Force, +And gives a pleasant Flavour to Discourse, +By making all our Spirits Deboniar, +Throws of the Lees, the Sedement of Care. +But as the greatest Blessing Heaven lends +May be debauch'd, and serve ignoble Ends; +So, but too oft, the Grapes refreshing Juice, +Does many mischievous Effects produce, +My House, shou'd no such rude Disorders know, +As from high Drinking consequently flow, +Nor wou'd I use what was so kindly giv'n, +To the Dishonour of Indulgent Heav'n. +If any Neighbour came he shou'd be free, } +Us'd with Respect, and not uneasy be, } +In my Retreat, or to himself or me. } +What Freedom, Prudence, and Right Reason give, +All Men may with impunity receive; +But the least swerving from their Rules too much, +For what's forbiden us, 'tis Death to touch. +That Life might be more comfortable yet, +And all my Joys refin'd, sincere and great, +I'd chuse too Friends, whose Company wou'd be +A great Advance to my Felicity. +Well born, of Humours suited to my own +Discreet and Men as well as Books have known. +Brave, Gen'rous, Witty, and exactly free +From loose Behaviour, or Formality. +Airy and Prudent, Merry, but not Light, +Quick in discerning, and in Judging, Right; +Secret they shou'd, be faithful to their Trust, +In Reasoning Cool, Strong, Temperate and just. +Obliging, Open, without Huffing, Brave; +Brisk in gay talking, and in sober Grave. +Close in dispute, but not tenacious, try'd +By solid Reason, and let that decide; +Not prone to Lust, Revenge, or envious Hate; +Nor busy Medlers with Intrigues of State. +Strangers to Slander, and sworn Foes to spight, +Not Quarrelsom, but Stout enough to Fight: +Loyal and Pious, Friends to _Caesar_ true +As dying Martyrs to their Maker too. +In their Society I cou'd not miss, +A permanent, sincere, substaintial Bliss. + +Wou'd bounteous Heaven once more indulge, I'd chuse, +(For, who wou'd so much satisfaction lose, +As Witty Nymphs in Conversation give) +Near some obliging modest-fair to live; +For there's that sweetness in a female Mind, +Which in a Man's we cannot find; +That by a secret, but a pow'rful Art, } +Winds up the Spring of Life, and do's impart } +Fresh Vital Heat to the transported Heart, } +I'd have her Reason, and her Passions sway, +Easy in Company, in private Gay. +Coy to a Fop, to the deserving free, +Still Constant to her self, and Just to me. +A soul she shou'd have for great Actions fit, +Prudence, and Wisdom to direct her Wit. +Courage to look bold danger in the Face, +No Fear, but only to be Proud, or Base: +Quick to advise by an Emergence prest, +To give good Counsel, or to take the best. +I'd have th' Expression of her Thoughts be such, +She might not seem Reserv'd, nor talk too much; +That shows a want of Judgment, and of Sense; +More than enough is but Impertinence. +Her Conduct Regular, her Mirth refind, +Civil to Strangers, to her Neighbours kind. +Averse to Vanity, Revenge and Pride; +In all the Methods of Deceit untry'd: +So faithful to her Friend, and good to all, +No Censure might upon her Actions fall +Then wou'd even Envy be compell'd to say, +She goes the least of Woman kind astray. + +To this fair Creature I'd sometimes retire, +Her Conversation wou'd new Joys inspire. +Give Life and Edge so keen, no surly Care } +Wou'd venture to assault my Soul, or dare } +Near my Retreat to hide one secret Snare. } +But so Divine, so Noble a Repast. +I'd seldom, and with Moderation caste. +For highest Cordials all their Virtue lose, +By a too freequent, and to bold an use; +And what would cheer the Spirits in distress; +Ruins our Health when taken to Excess. + +I'd be concern'd in no litigious Jarr, +Belov'd by, all not vainly popular: +Whate'er Assistance I had power to bring +T'oblige my Country, or to serve my King, +Whene'er they call'd, I'd readily afford, +My Tongue, My Pen, my Counsel, or my Sword. +Law-suit I'd shun with as much Studious Care; +As I wou'd Dens where hungry Lyons are; +An rather put up injuries than be +A Plague to him, who'd be a plague to me. +I value Quiet at a Price too great, +To give for my Revenge so dear a Rate: +For what do we by all our bustle gain, +But counterfeit Delight for real Pain. + +If Heav'n a date of many years wou'd give, +Thus I'd in Pleasure, Ease and Plenty live. +And as I near approach'd the Verge of Life, +Some kind Relation (for I'd have no Wife) +Should take upon him all my Worldly Care, +While I did for a better State prepare. +Then I'd not be with any trouble vext. +Nor have the Evening of my Days perplext. +But by a silent, and a peaceful Death, +Without a Sigh, Resign my Aged Breath: +And when committed to the Dust, I'd have +Few Tears, but Friendly drop'd into my Grave. +Then wou'd my Exit so propitious be, +All Men wou'd wish to live and dye like me. + + +_FINIS._ + + + + +AN ANSWER TO +THE +PLEASURES +OF A +SINGLE LIFE: +OR, +THE COMFORTS +OF +MARRIAGE +Confirm'd and Vindicated: +With the Misery of Lying alone, prov'd and asserted. + + +_LONDON_, +Printed for _M. Goodwin_, near _Fleet Street_, 1701. + + + + +AN +ANSWER +To the Pleasure of a Single LIFE, &c. + + +When from Dark nothing Heaven the World did make +And all was Glorious it did undertake; +Then were in _Eden's_ Garden freely plac'd, +Each thing that's pleasant to the Sight and Tast; +'Twas fill'd with Beasts and Birds, Trees hung with Fruite +That might with Man's Cealestal Humour suite. +The World being made, both spacious and compleat, +Then Man was form'd most Nobly and Great; +When Heaven survey'd the Works that it had done, +Saw Male and Female, but found Man alone, +A baren Sex, and Insignificant, } +Then God made Woman to supply the want, } +And to make perfect which before was scant. } +The Word no sooner spoke, but it was done; +'Cause 'twas not fit for Man to be alone; +It was not in his power without a Wife, +To reap the happy Fruites of human Life; +Nay, more than this, Mankind long since had ceas'd, +And now had been surviv'd by senceless Beast, +He'd Slept and Wasted in obscurity, +And Darkly perish'd in his Infancy. +If Heaven, had not sent so blest a Creature, +To be the Treasure house of human Nature; +So the alwise Creator thought it best, +That Man and Wife together might be blest: +Appointed then immortal Bonds to tye, +Two Hearts in one, with equal Amity; +And so he than by his alwise Direction, +Both Souls united with the like affection; +So very sweetly and with such delight, +The swiftest Winged Minutes take their flight, +And thus Gods Love to Mankind did dispence, +The sacred Wedlock, which did then commence: +Not founded as some Criticks say, by chance; +But Heaven it self, did this blest State advance. +Not subject to the various Revolutions, +Of fickle fading human Institutions. +A Married Life was first contriv'd above, +To be an Emblem of Eternal Love; +And after by Divine indulgence sent, +To be the Crown of Man, and Wife's content; +Yet black Mouthed Envy Strives with all its might; +To blast the Credit of that sacred Rite. +The hard Mouth fops, a single Life applau'd, +And hates a Woman, that woun't be a Baw'd: +Nothing he values like a single Life, +For tho he loves a Whore, he hates a Wife, +Calls the poor Husband, Monkey, Ass or Dog, +And Laughs because he wears the Wedlock Clogg, +Yet freely they'l or'e tops of Houses Strolling, +And venture Bones each Night a Caterwouling +Expose himself to Falls, or Guns or Traps, } +And twenty other unforeseen Mishaps, } +All in his hot persuite of Whores and Claps. } + +Thus single Sots, who Wedlock vainly slight, +Are Slaves to Lust both Morning, Noon and Night +Ruin their Health, their Honour and Estate, +And buy Repentance at a curssed rate: +While lawful Weded Couples spend their times, +In happy charming Pleasures without Crimes, +What greater Bliss, or Comfort in this Life, +Can Man desire, but with a vertuous Wife: +I'le with a Wife in lawful Wedlock sport, +While you in Woods with Beastes of Prey resort: +Your bawdy Books, your silent Consort be, +While happy Man and Wife in Love agree, +And both unite in mutual Harmonie. +_Sodom_ for Sins like thine, by Fire was burn'd, +And from a City to a Lake was turn'd; +They Wedlock scornd, and Lust they made a Feast, +And far out did the senceless Savage Beast, +Even so, the shamless loathsom single Elff, +Worse than the Beast makes _Sodom_ of himself; +And then to lessen those his hateful Crimes, +He Rails at Wedlock in confused Rhimes, +Calls Woman Faithless, 'cause she woun't consent, +To humour what his Brutish Thoughts invent; +No wonder then, if with his poisonous Breath, +He strives to Blacken the Brightest thing on Earth: +Woman! by Heaven her very Name's a charm, +And will my Verse against all Criticks Arm; +She Comforts Man in all his Sweats and Toils, +And richly pays his Pains, with Love and Smiles. +'Tis Woman makes the ravish'd Poet write; +'Tis lovly Woman makes the Souldier Fight: +Should that soft Sex refuse the World to bless, +'Twould soon be turn'd into a Wilderness. + +A cursed Crow'd without all civil Rules, +A Herd of Drinking, Cheating, Fighting Fools; +Confusion, Madness would or'e spread the Stage, +And Man would be Destroy'd in one short Age; +Here Man must own, tho scarce without a Blush, +They rather do excel than Equal us; +As useful and more nimble are their Powers, +Their Judgments sharp, and sooner ripe than ours: +Yet foul Mouth'd Scribler, makes a publick Scorn, +On whom our great Redeemer he was Born; +But Sir! the Bays, they are so much their due; +They'l wear, inspite of impudence and you; +You are so hateful cruel and unjust, +To Load that Sex, with ugly brand of Lust: +_Those whome deserved Slights and losses vex, +Invent new Sins, and throw 'em on that Sex; +Whose thrifty wickedness the Sex forsakes, +He on these beauteous Fields a_ Sodom _makes: +He ne're assaults but where the Walls are slight, +True Bullies will with none but Cowards fight. +A vertuous Woman values fame too high, } +To let such Beastly Slaves her Walls come nigh, } +And that's the cause, he's now her Enemy: } +When the White flag you see by them hung out. +You then are wonderous daring bold and stout, +When once you but discover those within, +By their faint fire, have a low magazine. +A slender stock of Chastity in store, } +Your Oathes and Curses then like Cannon roar } +You Devil like; cry out a Whore, a Whore; } +But if a vertuous Wife you tempt in vain, +Who doth resist you with deserv'd disdain: +And forc'd to leave her with dispair and shame, } +Your Poisonous Tongue at least will blast her Fame, } +If her you can't; you'l ruin her good Name. } + +Is this the single Life you boast so much, +Are these the Charmes, that does your Fancy tutch, +Are these the Blessings which you have enjoy'd, +Are these the arts your lustful thoughts imploy'd; +'Tis plain your roving fancy is far worse, +Than that Blest state which you esteem a Curse; +You make it so by your insatiate mind, +Unbounded lust can never be confin'd. +It is a Riddle which I can't unfould +That any Man, can such base notions hold, +Disgrace all order, Marriage Bed defy +And gives Mankind and God himself the lye, +It is a shame, that any Man of Sense, +Should have so damn'd a_ stock _of Impudence; +Controul his Maker; and with his Laws dispence. +Blasphemeous wretch, the scorn of human race, +The very spawn of what is vile and base: +Who with your cursed pen, you're not afraid +To cross the end for which Mankind was made; +Alas! what could poor helpless Man have done +If he had been to live on Earth alone,_ +He'd been the worst of all God's vast Creation, +And sunk below the sence of procreation: +He'd muddl'd out his Days in private fear, +And when in sorrow none with him to share: +The Birds and Beasts each other chose his Mate, +And are above the stint of single Fate; +The whole Creation, hate's a single Life, +And shall not Man enjoy a loving Wife? +Sure this Wife Hater, lately came from Hell +To teach poor single Mortals to rebel, +Against the sacred Laws of God and Man +From whence the state of Wedlock first began, +To make our Minds diviner charmes to suite, +Which makes the differance 'twixt a Man and Bruite; +But this blasphemous Scribler tramples down, +These antient Fences; of such great renown, +And Lanshes forth among the Shelves and Rocks +And plead's for plagues of single Life and Pox: +He Courts in Print, all others to be Lewd, +Condemns a Wife and swears he will be rude: +He talks of Roving from each Pole, to Pole, +And with fresh lustful pleasures drown his Soul: +He calls that ease, which Christians counts a Sin, +And walks the Road which Thives and Rogues go in: +He plainly tells how he does spend his time +His lazey progress, shewes what is his Crime +His baudy Books, with Calves skin fenced round, +A proof enough, wherein his faults abound. +He talks of moderation or'e a Glass } +But mentions none of that when with his Lass, } +He's Knave in Grain; a Blockhead and an Ass. } +Because a Cuckold's Life was his hard fate, +Must Wedlock be abused at this rate? +Because he had a strumpit for his Wife, +He now commends a mopish single Life. +Let him content himself to live a Drone, +In some dark Corner of the World alone; +And trouble not his Brains with our blest State, +Which now is far above his wretched fate; +He talks of prayers a little while before, +And then he curss'd his Wife and call'd her whore. +Oh! meddley of confusion, never worse, +Must pray, then swear, give thanks to God and curse. +The Wife he lost, has faults as black as Hell. } +He sets her off, with a most dismal smell, } +But not one silible of his own he'l tell. } + +He owns his Cuckoldom, and which is worse; +How then the Cuckold su'd out his Divorce: +No doubts, the Wife, that he has Abdicated, +(Had he been good,) her ills had been abated: +But Women when provok'd, without a Cause, +They like enraged subjects, breaks the Lawes: +His Whip and Spur, was too unkindly us'd; +The weaker Vessel must not be abus'd. +If he too strictly held her by the reins, +He must accept the Cuckold for his pains. + +Farewel, thou scandal of a married Life, +Thou single Fop, grand Hater of a Wife; +Thou Plague to Churches, and to Women too, +'Tis time for either, to have done with you: +No more attempt, Heavens Laws for to confute, +No more advise Mankind, to be a Bruite; +_But spend they Days in some dark, lonesome Cave, +And to thy bruitish Lust be still a Slave._ +Go sneak in some vile Corner of the Earth, +With Pox and Plagues, resign thy poisonous Breath, +And may the worst of Torturs be thy Death. + + +_FINIS._ + + + + +THE Ladies Choice: +A POEM. + + +LONDON + +Printed, and Sold by _J. How_, and _B. Bragg_, at the _Blew-Ball_ +in _Avemary-Lane_, next _Ludgate-Street_, 1702. + + + + +THE LADIES CHOICE. + + + _Melissa Belinda._ + + Melissa. + +Prithee, _Belinda_ (for thou know'st I'm Young, +Unskill'd in Arts that to our Sex belong) +Thy wiser Counsels to my Youth impart; +Teach me at once to _Love_, and _Guard_ my Heart; +That I have _Wit_, can _Sing_ and _Dance_ you know, +And the Men tell me I am Pretty too; +I now have Fifteen pleasing Summers seen, +And have been Courted by twice Fifteen Men; +Still fresh Pretenders do my Peace Invade, +They _Write_, they _Visit, Sigh_ and _Serenade_, +And try allways to Catch a Harmless Maid. + +Then since our Virgin Thoughts are apt to Rove, +And few escape that Noble Passion _Love_, +Teach me, _Belinda_, by thy Arts to Chuse +What Suiters to Admit, and which Refuse._ + + _Belinda._ + +_Melissa_, I am glad you're so Discreet, } +For, that to more Experience you'll submit, } +Argues your want of _Vanity_, not _Wit_. } + +And yet, my Dear, 'tis difficult t' Advise, } +_Fools_ are so Plenty, and so Scarce the _Wise_: } +To judge of Men, we shou'd not Trust our Eyes; } +Outward Appearance may Delude the Sight; +Nor is it good to gaze too near the Light: +For tho' your _Beauty_, like a Painted Scene, +May Dang'rous prove to the Vile Race of Men, +Who at the greater distance do Admire, +And shun the heat of Love's Important Fire. +Whose _Little God_, like lesser Thieves, unseen, } +Steals to our Hearts, we scarce know how or when, } +His _Standard_ hoists and Guards the Fort Within; } +Then like a Tyrant does our Peace Controul, +And absolutely Lords it o'er the Soul: +Thus, with your _Heart_, your _Fortune_ he'll Dispose: +He does the _Man_, you but the _Husband_ chuse. +And tho' a _Fool_, you must the _Wretch_ receive; +For where we _Love_, we soon our Persons give. + +Therefore, _Melissa_, wisely Guard your Heart; +What _Nature_ won't defend, defend by _Art_: + +Shun, I advise you, most Devoutly shun, +Those _Servile Apes_ that swarm about the Town; +_Pert, Noisie Coxcombs, Self-admiring Beaux_, +Known by their _want_ of _Wit_, and _Gawdy Cloaths_: + +Of all the Creatures Nature does provide, +To stock the World from _Ignorance_ to _Pride_; +Of all that from her various Bosom spring, +A _Beau_ I think the oddest kind of thing; +A selfish Compound, singular, and Vain, +Half _Ass_, half _Puppet_, and the least of _Man_; +One that seems just for Nature's Pastime made, +A _Gawdy_ Carcass, with an _Empty Head_; +Whose only _Knowledge_ lies in _modish Dress_, +And seldom looks much further than his Glass. +A Creature only Govern'd by his Will; +And never _Reads_ above a _Taylors Bill_; +A Wretch extreamly _Whimsical_ and _Proud_, +Stiff in _Opinion, Talkative_ and _Loud_; +And that which most Compleatly Arms the _Fool_, +Is, That the _Fop's_ Emphatically dull. +That such, _Melissa_, may Address, 'tis true, +Write a soft _Song_, or senseless _Billetdoux_, +But 'tis _Themselves_ they _Admire_ in't, not _You_: +And she that's basely Yok'd with one of these, +Must e'en be Wedded to his _Vanities_; +Doat on a _Thing_ that scarce deserves a Name, +While he with _Slights_ rewards her Vertuous Flame: +For tell me, can he less _Indifferent_ prove, +Who thinks no Woman can Deserve his Love? +No, no, _Melissa_, never think he can; +For if you do, you're Cozen'd in your Man. + +Self-Affectation sways his little Sense; +Nought but _Himself_ he Loves, and _Ignorance_. +By fatal Chance, if such a Man you Wed, +Better, _Melissa_, thou had'st Dy'd a Maid: +Ev'n such a Lover, were a Plague too great; +From such a Husband, Guard me, Oh my Fate! + +Shun too, my Dear, the _Lewder Wits_ o' th' Town, +As watchfully as they'd avoid a Dun. +For such a Man too soon wou'd let you see, +_Lewdness_ and _Marriage_ do but ill Agree. +Oft at the Theatre such Sparks I've seen, } +With _Rakish Looks, half Drunk_, come Reeling in; } +Tossing their _Wigs_, their _Backs_ against the Scene. } +Regardless of the Play (a Mark of Wit) +Bow to some Lewd Companion in the Pit. +Take Snuff, fling round, in the Side-Box be seen, +Whisper a Mask, and then Retire again, +To some Lov'd _Tavern_, where's their chief Delight, } +There in Debaucheries they spend the Night, } +Then Stagger homeward by the Morning Light. } + +Thus the Extravagant squanders his Estate, +Scarce e'er Consid'ring till it be too late: +And then a _Wife_ must Cure the dang'rous Sore, +A _Fortune_ too, his _Acres_ must Restore; +The Woman Found, is by Addresses won; +They're _married_: He's _profuse_, and she's _undone_. +The Wound once heal'd, he soon forgets the Pain, +And takes the Trade of _Lewdness_ up again: +In Vicious Days and Nights his Life is spent; +The _Pleasure_ his, but her's the _Punishment_; +For now the Heav'n she Dreamt of, proves her Hell, +Whose only _Fault_ was Loving him too well. +Pensive all Day she sits; all Night alone; +She does her slighted Love, but more his Loss bemoan. +By kind Endearments Fraught with Innocence, +She strives to soften his Impenitence; +Fain wou'd she turn him from the winding Maze, +Win him to Love, and be the same he was; +But Vain her Sighs; her Prayers, her Tears are Vain, } +She might as soon her _Freedom_ re-obtain, } +As think to Mollifie th' obdurate Man. } +Who like her Person, slights the fond Advice, } +And when with Love she wou'd his Soul Entice, } +Flies from her Arms, and Revels in his Vice; } +Till she, alas, foreseeing what must come, +Consents, and with the little left he packs her home. + +Of such I give thee Caution to beware, } +Fly 'em, _Melissa_, like a Tim'rous Hare, } +That Strains along the Vales t'avoid the Hunters Snare. } + +And from a Soldier too, thy flight direct; +In his Rough Arms, what can a Maid expect; +Long Absent days, and tedious Widow'd Nights: +Are those the Marriage Joys, the vasts Delights +We promise to our selves, with him we Love? +Or shall we else such Constant Creatures prove, +To leave our Country, and turn Fugitive: +Follow the Camp, and with the Wanderer Live. +'Mongst War-like sounds our softer hours to pass, +Scorch in the Sun, and Sleep upon the Grass: +No, no, _Melissa_, 'tis an Auxious Life; +Honour's his Mistress; let it be his Wife. + +No Man of Bus'ness let thy Heart approve; +Bus'ness is oft an Enemy to Love: +Nor think, my Dear, thou canst be truly blest +With one that's _Wedded_ to his Interest. +Worldly Affairs does his Affections cloy, +_As that which shou'd preserve it, does destroy._ +'Twixt two Extreams you wretchedly must Live, +Or bad, or worse, as his Affairs do Thrive; +Whose good or ill Success, must be the Rule, +One makes him Insolent, and t'other Dull. + +Let no Aspiring Courtier be thy Choice; +Avoid in Courts, the Bustle and the Noise; +Where Vain _Ambition_ hurries on the Mind, +And always leaves more solid Joys behind: +As when the _Thrifty Clown_, securely Blest, +His _Barns_ with _Plenty_, with _Content_ his _Brest_, +Possest with hopes of a long lost Estate, +In haste forsakes his humble harmless Seat. +With Bagg and Bundle, Trots it up to Town, } +There wildly Gapes, and wanders up and down, } +And's kept in _Ignorance_ till he's undone. } +Some weighty Sums receiv'd for _Corn_ and _Cheese_, +Are _Spent_ in _Treats_, and _Giv'n_ away in _Fees_. +Mean while the _Lawyer_ so well Acts his Part, } +With empty Pockets, and an Aking Heart, } +He sends him home again to Plow and Cart. } + +So the _Gay Youth_ does Lavish his Estate, +And bribes into the Favour of the _Great_; +Prefer'd he sits like Fortunes Darling Son, +To's Friends, and what he was, a Stranger grown; +Till soon some turn of a Revolving State, +Leaves him to Curse _Ambition_, and his Fate; +Threaten'd with Want, perhaps the Youngster Writes, +And Lives (or rather Starves Genteely) by his Wits. + +Therefore, _Melissa_, Guard thee from surprize; +Let none of these betray thee, if thou'rt Wise; +Let not their Songs, nor Sighs, thy Soul Entice. +But if thou wou'dst be happy in thy Choice, +Above 'em all, a Gentleman prefer; +One free from Bus'ness, undisturb'd with Care; +Yet in the Publick Good (without Vile ends) +To serve his Country, and his Countries Friends: +Travel his Understanding shou'd improve; +For as it helps his Knowledge, 'twould his Love. +As to his Person, 'tis not to advise; +All Women see not with the self-same Eyes. +In that you might your own Opinion use, +Your Heart wou'd teach you; but were I to chuse, +He shou'd not be Effeminate or Proud, +(I hate the Man that is by Pride subdu'd). +In us I Grant a little Pride may be, +Much less a Crime (and may with Sense agree) +A Gift alone for our own Sex design'd, +To awe the loose Opinions of Mankind; +Who quickly else more Insolent wou'd grow: +'Tis Vertue's Guard, and Aids our Beauties too. + +A Gay Appearance shou'd not make me err; +I wou'd the Beauties of the Mind prefer. +Among the Few, I'd have a Man of Sense, +Endu'd with Modesty and Temperance; +Not with a great, and yet a good Estate; +Not too much Learning, nor Illiterate, +And yet he shou'd (avoiding each extream) +Know more of Man, than Man shou'd know of him. +Be Gen'rous and Well-bred, but not Profuse; +Not giv'n to Flattery, nor to take th' Abuse: +Gentile his Carriage, and his Humour such, +Shou'd speak him Sociable, but no Debauch. +A Lover of his Country, and a Friend to Wit +Read _Poetry_ he shou'd, but shou'd not write; +His Temper Lively, not to _Wildness_ bent, +His Talk Diverting, and yet Innocent; +Not Unreserv'd, nor yet too Nicely Wise, +Apter to Bear, than Offer Injuries; +Courage enough his Honour to defend, +But Constant in his Love, and Faithful to his Friend. + +This is the Man I'd to my Heart prefer; } +Such Men, _Melissa_, well deserve our Care; } +You'll say they're Scarce, and I must grant they are. } +Yet I resolve by such a Man, or none, +(Unless by Love betray'd) I will be won. + +But were I Woo'd by the _Embellish'd Youth_; +His Soul susceptible of Love and Truth: +By easie steps he shou'd attain my Heart, +By all the Proofs of Breeding, Wit, and Art. +Then like some Town, by _War-like Numbers_ sought, +That long against its Enemies has fought, +And oft with Courage brav'd the _shining Field_, } +Yet in the end by Want or Force compell'd, } +It does with Honour to the _Conqueror_ Yield. } + +So to my Lover I'd my Heart resign, +The Conquest his, the Glory should be mine. +With mutual Love my Nuptials shou'd be Blest, } +Then to my Arms I'd call the Welcome Guest, } +And Celebrate with Joy great _Hymen_'s Feast. } + +Marriage is Bondage, but where _Cupid_ Reigns, +The Yoke is easie; Glorious are the Chains: +His Fetters please, nor wish we to be Free, +But Glory in the Loss of Liberty: +And yet but half our Thanks we owe the Boy, +He gives us Love, 'tis _Hymen_ gives us Joy; +Well might the Poets feign those Gods a-kin, +For we are only Happy where they join. +As when _Aurora_ does the Bridal Morn, +With an uncommon Gayety Adorn +From its Illustrious Pride with ease we may +Foretel the Brightness of the coming Day: +So when true Love the Sacred Tye precedes, +Secure of Happiness that Couple weds; +No Threat'ning Storms do e'er Molest their Joy, +Nor Anxious Quarrels do their Peace destroy; +Their days slide on in the securest ease, +And Circle in Eternal Rounds of Bliss. + +Blest in my Wish thus far, my next should be, +(For I _Melissa_, wou'd live far and free +From the vile Tumults of this viler Town) +To have some little Cottage of my own; +No _Spacious_, but a _Pleasant_ Country Seat, +Where the Gay Spring shou'd smile on our Retreat; +Delightful Gardens shou'd the Structure Bound, +All _Love_ within, and _Innocence_ around; +Adorn'd with Fruit-Trees curious to the Eye, +With streaming Fountains, and a River nigh; +Where, low-grown Willows do recline their head, +And o'er its fall their Meeting Branches spread, +As tho' they were by careful Nature hung, } +To listen and regard its Murm'ring Song, } +Whose Silver current as it glides along; } +Does wash the Bank of some Delightful Grove, +Fragrant beneath, and shaded all above; +Where the fresh Seasons breathe their vital Air, +And pretty Birds with untaught Songs repair; +Where spreading Pines, and taller Poplars grow, +Young Elms that do a pleasing Prospect show. +Where Bow'rs of Yew, and twisted Hazles stand, +With cluster'd Filberts to invite the hand; +A Place by Nature fram'd to feast the Mind, +By Art for Solitude and Love design'd; +Where we wou'd walk, and waste our idler hours, +Gather the luscious Fruits and various Flowers, +Crop from their stalks the Columbine and Rose, } +And from its Branch, the juicy Peach unlose, } +And ev'ry Sweet of Nature should it self disclose. } + +So the first Pair, of Innocence possest, +Were in their Native _EDEN_ truly Blest; +At large they rang'd o'er all the flow'ry Land, +And pluck'd their Food from Nature's lib'ral Hand: +Tripp'd o'er the Soil, and to the Fountains ran. +The Happy Woman _She_, and _He_ the Happy Man. + +Next in my Family I'd employ my Care, +My Attendance few, but honest and sincere; +I wou'd not have our happier Delights, +Destroy'd by Gaming Days, or Drinking Nights. +Nor yet look shye upon those Friends he brought, +I wou'd seem Pleasant, tho' I lik'd them not: +Courteous to all, and Lib'ral to the Poor, +They still shou'd chant their Blessings at my Door; +From whence dissatisfy'd they shou'd not go, +Lest Heaven shou'd retrench its Bounty too; +No Jars among my Servants shou'd be found, +But Chains of lasting Peace shou'd still run round. + +Thus we'd the Innocence of Life enjoy, +For Love's a Beauty which does seldom cloy. +As Peaceful Monarchs do their Kingdoms Sway, +He shou'd my Heart, and I'd in Love obey, +No change of Fortune shou'd pervert our flame, +But with the good or bad, be still the same. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13800 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c16896c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #13800 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13800) diff --git a/old/13800.txt b/old/13800.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea897ea --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13800.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1625 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Pleasures of a Single Life, or, The +Miseries Of Matrimony, by Anonymous + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Pleasures of a Single Life, or, The Miseries Of Matrimony + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: October 19, 2004 [eBook #13800] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PLEASURES OF A SINGLE LIFE, +OR, THE MISERIES OF MATRIMONY*** + + +E-text prepared by David Starner, Charles Bidwell, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +THE PLEASURES OF A SINGLE LIFE + +Or, The Miseries of Matrimony + +Occasionally Writ Upon the many DIVORCES lately Granted by Parliament. + +WITH THE CHOICE, +OR, THE _Pleasures of a Country_-LIFE. + +_Dedicated to the_ Beaus _against the next Vacation._ + +_London_: Printed and Sold by _H. Hills_, in _Black-fryars_, +near the Water-side. 1709. _Price One Penny._ + + + + + + + +Wedlock, oh! Curs'd uncomfortable State, +Cause of my Woes, and Object of my hate. +How bless'd was I? Ah, once how happy me? +When I from those uneasie Bonds were free; +How calm my Joys? How peaceful was my Breast, +Till with thy fatal Cares too soon opprest, +The World seem'd Paradice, so bless'd the Soil +Wherein I liv'd, that Business was no Toil; +Life was a Comfort, which produc'd each day +New Joys, that still preserv'd me from decay, +Thus Heav'n first launch'd me into pacifick Seas, +Where free from Storms I mov'd with gentle Breeze; +My Sails proportion'd, and my Vessell tite, } +Coasting in Pleasures-Bay I steer'd aright, } +Pallac'd with true Content, and fraighted with delight } + +Books my Companions were wherein I found +Needful Advice, without a noisy Sound, +But was with friendly pleasing silence taught, +Wisdom's best Rules, to fructify my Thought, +Rais'd up our Sage Fore-fathers from the dead, } +And when I pleas'd, invok'd them to my Aid, } +Who at my Study-Bar without a Fee would plead: } +Whilst I Chief Justice sat, heard all their Sutes, +And gave my Judgment on their learn'd Disputes; +Strove to determine ev'ry Cause aright, +And for my Pains found Profit and Delight, +Free from Partiality; I fear'd no blame, +Desir'd no Brib'ry, and deserv'd no Shame, +But like an upright Judge, grudg'd no Expence +Of time, to fathom Truth with Diligence, +Reading by Day, Contemplating by Night, +Till Conscience told me that I judg'd aright, +Then to my Paper-World I'd have recourse, +And by my Maps run o'er the Universe; +Sail round the Globe, and touch at every Port, +Survey those Shoars where Men untam'd resort, +View the old Regions where the _Persian_ Lord +Taught Wooden Deities first to be Ador'd, +Ensnar'd at last to Sacrifice his Life +To the base Pride of an Adult'rous Wife, +And where the _Grecian_ Youth to Arms inur'd. } +The hungry Soil with _Persian_ Blood manur'd, } +Where bold _Busephilus_ brutal Conduct show'd, } +The force of monstrous Elephants withstood, +And with his Rider waded through a purple Flood. + +Then would I next the _Roman_ Field survey, +Where brave _Fabricius_ with his Army lay; +Fam'd for his Valour, from Corruption free, +Made up of Courage and Humility. +That when Encamp'd the good Man lowly bent, +Cook'd his own Cabbage in his homely Tent: +And when the _Samaites_ sent a Golden Sum, +To tempt him to betray his Country _Rome_, +The Dross he scoffingly return'd untold, } +And answer'd with a Look serenely bold, } +That _Roman_ Sprouts would boil without their _Grecian_ Gold: } +Then eat his Cale-worts for his Meal design'd, +And beat the _Grecian_ Army when he'd din'd. + +Thus wou'd I range the World from Pole to Pole; +To encrease my Knowledge, and delight my Soul; +Travel all Nations and inform my Sence; +With ease and safety, at a small Expence: +No Storms to plough, no Passengers Sums to pay, +No Horse to hire, or Guide to show the way, +No _Alps_ to clime, no Desarts here to pass, +No Ambuscades, no Thief to give me chase; +No Bear to dread, or rav'nous Wolf to fight, +No Flies to sting, no Rattle-Snakes to bite; +No Floods to ford, no Hurricans to fear; +No dreadful Thunder to surprize the Ear; +No Winds to freeze, no Sun to scorch or fry, +No Thirst, or Hunger, and Relief not nigh. +All these Fatiegues and Mischiefs could I shun; } +Rest when I pleas'd, and when I please Jog on, } +And travel through both _Indies_ in an Afternoon. } + +When the Day thus far pleasingly was spent, +And every Hour admin'stred Content, +Then would I range the Fields, and flow'ry Meads, +Where Nature her exub'rant Bounty spreads, +In whose delightful Products does appear +Inimitable Beauty ev'ry where; +Contemplate on each Plant, and useful Weed, +And how its Form first lay involved in Seed, +How they're preserv'd by Providential Care, +For what design'd, and what their Virtues are. +Thus to my Mind by dint of Reason prove, +That all below is ow'd to Heaven above, +And that no Earthly Temporals can be, +But what must Center in Eternity. +Then gaze aloft, whence all things had their Birth, +And mount my prying Soul 'twixt Heaven and Earth, +Thus the sweet Harmonv o' th' whole admire, } +And by due Search new Learning still aquire, } +So nearer ev'ry day to Truths Divine aspire. } + +When tir'd with thought, then from my Pocket pluck +Some friendly dear Companion of a Book, +Whose homely Calves-skin fences did contain +The Verbal Treasure of some Old good Man: +Made by long study and experience wise, +Whose piercing thoughts to Heavenly knowledge rise, +Amongst whose Pious Reliques I would find, +Rules for my Life, Rich Banquets for my mind, +Such pleasing Nectar, such Eternal Food, +That well digested, makes a Man a God; +And for his use at the same time prepares +On Earth a Heav'n in spight of worldly Cares, +The day in these Enjoyments would I spend, +But chuse at Night my Bottle and my Friend, +Took prudent care that neither were abus'd, +But with due Moderation both I us'd. +And in one sober Pint found more delight, +Then the insatiate Sot that swills all Night; +Ne'er drown my Senses, or my Soul debase. +Or drink beyond the relish of my blass +For in Excess good Heav'ns design is Crost, +In all Extreams the true Enjoyments lost, +Wine chears the Heart, and elevates the Soul, +But if we surfeit with too large a Bowl, +Wanting true Aim we th' happy Mark o'er Shoot, +And change the Heavenly Image to a Brute. +So the great _Grecian_ who the World subdu'd, +And drown'd whole Nations in a Sea of Blood; +At last was Conquer'd by the Power of Wine, +And dy'd a Drunken Victime to the Vine. +My Friend, and I, when o'er our Bottle sat, +Mix'd with each Glass some inoffensive Chat, +Talk'd of the World's Affairs, but still kept free +From Passion, Zeal, or Partiality; +With honest freedom did our thoughts dispense, +And judg'd of all things with indifference; +Till time at last did our Delights invade, +And in due season separation made, +Then without Envy, Discord or Deceit, +Part like true Friends as loving as we meet. +The Tavern change to a domestick scene, +That sweet Retirement, tho it's ne'er so mean. +Thus leave each other in a Cheerful Plight, +T' enjoy the silent Pleasures of the Night, +When home return'd, my Thanks to Heaven pay, +For all the past kind Blessing of the Day; +No haughty Help-mate to my Peace molest, +No treacherous Snake to harbour in my Breast: +No fawning Mistress of the Female Art, +With _Judas_ Kisses to betray my Heart; +No light-tail'd Hypocrite to raise my Fears, +No vile Impert'nence to torment my Ears; +No molted Off spring to disturb my Thought, +In Wedlock born but G----d knows where begot; +No lustful _Massalina_ to require +Whole Troops of Men to feed her Brutal Fire? +No Family Cares my quiet to disturb; +No Head-strong Humours to asswage or Curb +No Jaring Servants, no Domestick strife, } +No Jilt, no Termagent, no Faithless Wife, } +With Vinegar or Gall, to sowre or bitter Life. } + +Thus freed from all that could my Mind annoy, +Alone my self, I did my self enjoy: +When Nature call'd, I laid me down to rest, +With a sound Body, and a peaceful Breast; +Hours of Repose with Constancy I kept, +And Guardian Angels watch'd me as I slept, +In lively Dreams reviving as I lay, +The Pleasures of the last precedent day, +Thus whilst I singly liv'd, did I possess } +By Day and Night incessant Happiness, } +Content enjoy'd awak'd, and sleeping found no less. } + +But the Curs'd Fiend from Hell's dire Regions sent, +Ranging the World to Man's Destruction bent, +Who with an Envious Pride beholding me, +Advanc'd by Virtue to Felicity, +Resolv'd his own Eternal wretched state, +Should be in part reveng'd by my sad Fate; +And to at once my happy Life betray +Flung Woman, Fathless Woman in my way: +Beauty she had, a seeming Modest Mein, } +All Charms without, but Devil all within, } +Which did not yet appear, but lurk'd, alas unseen. } +A fair Complexion far exceeding Paint, +Black sleepy Eyes that would have Charm'd a Saint; +Her Lips so soft and sweet, that ev'ry Kiss, +Seem'd a short Tast of the Eternal Bliss; +Her set of Teeth so Regular and White, +They'd show their Lustre in the darkest Night; +Round her Seraphick Face so fair and young, +Her Sable Hair in careless Dresses hung, +Which added to her beauteous Features, show'd +Like some fair Angel peeping through a Cloud? +Her Breasts, her Hands, and every Charm so bright, +She seem'd a Sun by Day, a Moon by Night; +Her shape so ravishing, that every Part, +Proportion'd was to the nicest Rules of Art: +So awful was her Carriage when she mov'd, +None could behold her, but he fear'd and lov'd, +She danc'd well, sung well, finely plaid the Lute, +Was always witty in her Words, or Mute; +Obliging, not reserv'd, nor yet too free, +But as a Maid divinely bless'd should be; +Not vainly gay, but decent in Attire, } +She seem'd so good, she could no more acquire } +Of Heaven, than what she had, & Man no more desire: } +Fortune, like God and Nature too was kind, +And to these Gifts a copious Sum had joyn'd +Who could the power of such Temptations shun; +What frozen _Synick_ from her Charms could run: +What Cloister'd Monk could see a Face so bright, } +But quit his Beads and follow Beauty's Light, } +And by Its Lustre hope to shun Eternal Night. } +I so bewitch'd, and poyson'd with her Charms, +Believ'd the utmost Heaven was in her Arms, +Methoughts the Goodness, in her Eyes I see, +Spoke her the Off-spring of some Deity. +Now Books and Walks, would no content afford, +She was the only Good to be Ador'd. +In her fair Looks alone delight I found, +Love's raging Storms all other Joys had drown'd. +By Beauty's _Ignis fatuus_ led astray, +Bound for Content, I lost my happy way +Of Reason's faithful Pilot now bereft, +Was amongst Rocks and Shelves in danger left, +There must have perish'd, as I fondly thought, +Lest her kind Usage my Salvation wrought; +Her happy Aid I labour'd to obtain, +Hop'd for Success, yet fear'd her sad Disdain, +Tortur'd like dying Convicts whilst they live, +'Twixt fear of Death, and hopes of a Reprieve. +First for her smallest Favours did I sue, +Crept, Fawn'd and Cring'd, as Lovers us'd to do? +Sigh'd e'er I spoke, and when I spoke look'd Pale, +In words confus'd disclos'd my mournful Tale? +Unpractised and Amour's fine Speeches coin'd, +But could not utter what I well design'd. +Warm'd by her Charms 'gainst Bashfulness I strove, +And trembling far, and stammer'd out my Love; +Told her how greatly I admir'd and fear'd, +Which she 'twixt Coyness and Compassion heard, +Grutch'd no Expence of Money, or of Time, +And thought that not to adore her was a Crime; +The more each Visit I acquainted grew, +Yet every time found something in her new. +Who was above her Sex so fortunate, +She had a Charm for Man in every State; +Beauty for the Youthful, Prudence for the Old, +Scripture for the Godly, for the Miser Gold; +Wit for the Ingenious, silence for the Grave, +Flatt'ry for the Fool, and Cunning for the Knave: +Compounded thus of such Varieties, } +She had a knack to every Temper please, } +And as her self thought fit was every one of these. } +I lov'd, I sigh'd and vow'd, talk'd, whin'd, and pray'd, +And at her Feet my panting Heart I lay'd; +She smil'd, then frown'd, was now reserv'd, then free, +And as she plaid her part, oft chang'd her Key; +Not through Fantastick Humour but Design, +To try me throughly e'er she should be mine, +Because she wanted in one Man to have, +A Husband, Lover, Cuckold and a Slave. +So Travellers, before a Horse they buy, +His Speed, his Paces, and his Temper try, +Whether he'll answer Whip and Spur, thence Judge, +If the poor Beast will prove a patient Drudge: +When she by wiles had heightned my Desire, +And fain'd Love's sparkles to a raging Fire; +Made now for Wedlock, or for _Bedlam_ fit. +Thus Passion gain'd the upper-hand of Wit, +The Dame by pity, or by Interest mov'd, +Or else by Lust, pretended now she lov'd; +After long-sufferings, her Consent I got. } +To make me happy, as I hop'd and thought, } +But oh, the wretched hour I ty'd the _Gordian_ Knot. } + +Thus thro' mistake I rashly plung'd my Life +Into that Gulph of Miseries a Wife. +With joyful Arms I thus embrac'd my Fare, +Believ'd too soon, was undeceiv'd too late; +So hair-brain'd Fools to _Indian_ Climates rove, +With a vain hope their Fortunes to improve; +There spend their slender Cargoes, then become +Worse Slaves abroad than e'er they were at home +When a few Weeks were wasted I compar'd, +With all due moderation and regard, +My former freedom, with my new restraint, +Judging which State afforded most content. +But found a single Life as calm and gay, +As the delightful Month of blooming _May_, +Not chill'd with Cold, or scorch'd with too much heat. } +Not plagu'd with flying Dust, nor drown'd with wet, } +But pleasing to the Eyes, and to the Nostrils sweet. } + +But Wedlock's like the blustring Month of _March_, +That does the Body's Maims and Bruises search, +Brings by cold nipping Storms unwelcom Pains, +And finds, or breeds, Distempers in our Veins; +Renews old Sores, and hastens on Decay, +And seldom does afford one pleasant Day. +But Clouds dissolve, or raging Tempest blow, +And untile Houses, like the wrangling Shrow; +Thus _March_ and Marriage justly may be said, } +To be alike, then sure the Man is Mad, } +That loves such changling Weather where the best is bad. } + +Though I once happy in a single Life, +Yet Shipwrack'd all upon that Rock a Wife. +By Gold and Beauties Powerful Charms betray'd, +To the dull drugery of a Marriage-Bed; +That Paradise for Fools, a Sport for Boys, +Tiresom its Chains, and brutal are its Joys, +Thou nauseous Priestcraft that to soon appear'd, +Not as I hop'd, but worse than what I fear'd. +All her soft Charms which I believ'd divine, +Marriage I thought had made them only mine; +Vain hope, alas for I too early found, +My Brows were with the Throne of Wedlock crown'd, +Jealousies, first from Reason rais'd a doubt, +And Fatal Chance th' unhappy Truth brought out; +Made it so plain from all Pretences free'd. +That wicked Woman no Excuse could plead; +And if she wants device to hide her Shame, +Hell can no Umbrage for Audult'ry frame. + +I though it prudence the Disgrace to hide, +Tho' rav'd and Storm'd, she Pardon beg'd and Cry'd. +Yet with false Protestations strove to Charm: +The Cuckold to believe she'd done no harm, +Tho' taken by surprize (O curse the Day) +Where all the Marks of past Enjoyment lay, +And she disorder'd by her lustful freeks +Had Shame and Horrour strugling in her Cheeks: +Yet, made Essays to clear her Innocence, +And hide her guilt with Lyes and Impudence; +For lustful Women like a vicious State, +Oft stifle Ills by others full as great, +But I convinc'd too plainly of her Guilt, +All her false Oaths and quick inventions spoilt, +Which when she'd used in vain she blush'd and cry'd, +And own'd her fault she found she could not hide. + +This I forgave, she promis'd to reclaim, +Vow'd future truth if I'd conceal the shame; +But what Strange Adamantine Chain can bind, +Woman corrupted to be just or kind: +Or how can Man to an adultress shew +That Love, which to a faithful Wife is due. +I strugled hard, and all my Passions chekt, +And chang'd Revenge into a mild Respect, +That Good for Ill return'd might touch hear near, +And Gratitude might bind her more tan fear; +My former Love I every day renew'd; +And all the Signals of Oblivion shew'd; +Wink'd at small Faults, wou'd no such Trifles mind, +As accidental Failings not designed. +I all things to her Temper easie made, +Scorn'd to reflect, and hated to upbraid; +She chose (and rich it was) her own Attire, +Nay, had what a proud Woman could desire. + +Thus the new Covenant I strictly kept, +And oft in private for her Failings wept, +Yet bore with seeming Cheerfulness those Cares, +That bring a Man too soon to grisled Hairs. + +But all this kindness I dispens'd in vain. +Where Lust and base Ingratitude remain. +Lust, which if once in Female fancy fix'd, +Burns like Salt Petre, with driy Touchwood mix'd: +And tho' cold Fear for time may stop its force, } +Twill soon like Fire confin'd, break out the worse, } +Or like a Tide obstucted, re-assume its course. } + +No Art cou'd e'e presume the stinking _Stote_, +Or change the lecherous Nature of the _Goat_. +No skilful Whitster ever found the flight, +To wash or bleach an _Ethiopian_ White. +No gentle Usage truly will Asswage, +A Tyger's fierceness, or a Lyon's rage, +Stripes and severe Correction is the way, +Whence once they're thro'ly Conquer'd, they'll obey, +'Tis Whip and Spur, Commanding Reign and Bit, +That makes the unruly head-strong Horse submit, +So stubborn faithless Woman must be us'd, +Or Man by Woman basely be abus'd. + +For after all the Endearments I should show, +At last she turn'd both Libertine and Shrow, +From my Submission grew perverse and proud, +Crabbed as Varges, and as Thunder loud; +Did what she pleas'd, would no Obedience own, +And redicul'd the Patience I had shown. +Fear'd no sharp threatnings, valued no disgrace, +But flung the wrongs she'd done me in my Face; +Grew still more head strong, turbulent and Lewd, +Filling my Mansion with a spurious brood. +Thus Brutal Lust her humane Reason drown'd, +And her loose Tail obliged the Country round; +Advice, Reproof, Pray'rs, Tears, were flung away, +For still she grew mord wicked ev'ry day; +Till By her equals scorn'd, my Servants fed, +The Brutal Rage of her adultrous bed. +Nay, in my absence trucled to my Groom, +And hug'd the servile Traytor in my Room; +When these strange Tydings, Thunder struck my Ear, +And such Inhumane Wrongs were made appear, +On these just Grounds for a Divorce I su'd, } +At last that head-strong Tyrant wife subdu'd, } +Cancel'd the marriage-bonds, and basterdiz'd her brood. } + +_Woman_, thou worst of all Church-plagues, farewel; +Bad at the best, but at the worst a Hell; +Thou truss of wormwood, bitter Teaz of Life, +Thou Nursery of humane cares a wife. +Thou Apple-Eating Trayt'riss who began +The Wrath of Heav'n, and Miseries of Man, +And hast with never-failing diligence, +Improv'd the Curse to humane Race e'er since. +Farewel Church-juggle that enslav'd my Life, +But bless that Pow'r that rid me of my Wife. +And now the Laws once more have set me free, +If Woman can again prevail with me, +My Flesh and Bones shall make my Wedding-Feast, } +And none shall be Invited as my Guest, } +T' attend my _Bride_, but th' _Devil_ and a _Priest_. } + +_FINIS._ + + + + +THE CHOICE, +OR, +THE Pleasures of a _Country_--LIFE, &c. + + +If Heav'n the grateful Liberty wou'd give, +That I might chuse my Method how to live +And all those Hours propitious Fate shou'd lend, +In blisful Ease and Satisfaction spend. + +Near some fair Town I'd have a private Seat, +Built Uniform, not little, nor to great: +Better if on a rising Ground it stood, +Fields on this side, on that a Neighb'ring Wood. +It shou'd within no other things contain, +But what are Useful, Necessary Plain: +Methinks 'tis Nauseous, and I'd ne'er endure +The needless pomp of gawdy Furniture: +A little Garden, gratefule to the Eye, +And a cool Rilvulet run Murmuring by: +On whose delicious Banks a stately Row, +Of shady Limes, or Sicamores, shou'd grow. +At th' end of which a silent Study plac'd, +Shou'd with the Noblest Authors there be grac'd. +_Horace_ and _Virgil_, in whose mighty Lines, +Immortal Wit, and solid Learning Shines. + +Sharp _Juvenal_, and am'rous _Ovid_ too, +Who all the turns of Loves soft passion knew: +He, that with Judgment reads his Charming Lines, +In which strong Art, with stronger Nature joyns, +Must grant, his Fancy does the best excell: +His Thoughts so tender, and exprest so well; +With all those Moderns, Men of steady Sense, +Esteem'd for Learning, and for Eloquence: +In some of these, as Fancy shou'd advise, +I'd always take my Morning Exercise. +For sure, no Minutes bring us more Content, +Than those in pleasing useful Studies Spent. + +I'd have a clear and competent Estate, +That I might live Genteely, but not Great. +As much as I cou'd moderately spend, +A little more somtimes t'oblige a Friend. +Nor shou'd the Sons of Poverty Repine +Too much at Fortune, they shou'd taste of mine, +And all that Objects of true Pity were, +Shou'd be reliev'd with what my Wants cou'd spare; +For what our Maker has too largely giv'n, +Shou'd be return'd in gratitude to Heav'n. +A frugal Plenty shou'd my Table spread, +With healthful, not luxurious Dishes fed: +Enough to satisfy, and something more +To feed the Stranger, and th' Neighb'ring Poor. +Strong Meat indulges Vice, and pampering Food +Creates Diseases, and inflames the Blood. +But what's sufficient to make Nature Strong, +And the bright Lamp of Life continue long, +I'd freely take, and as I did possess. +The bounteous Author of my Plenty bless. + +I'd have a little Cellar, Cool and Neat, +With Humming Ale, and Virgin Wine Repleat. +Wine whets the Wit, improves its Native Force, +And gives a pleasant Flavour to Discourse, +By making all our Spirits Deboniar, +Throws of the Lees, the Sedement of Care. +But as the greatest Blessing Heaven lends +May be debauch'd, and serve ignoble Ends; +So, but too oft, the Grapes refreshing Juice, +Does many mischievous Effects produce, +My House, shou'd no such rude Disorders know, +As from high Drinking consequently flow, +Nor wou'd I use what was so kindly giv'n, +To the Dishonour of Indulgent Heav'n. +If any Neighbour came he shou'd be free, } +Us'd with Respect, and not uneasy be, } +In my Retreat, or to himself or me. } +What Freedom, Prudence, and Right Reason give, +All Men may with impunity receive; +But the least swerving from their Rules too much, +For what's forbiden us, 'tis Death to touch. +That Life might be more comfortable yet, +And all my Joys refin'd, sincere and great, +I'd chuse too Friends, whose Company wou'd be +A great Advance to my Felicity. +Well born, of Humours suited to my own +Discreet and Men as well as Books have known. +Brave, Gen'rous, Witty, and exactly free +From loose Behaviour, or Formality. +Airy and Prudent, Merry, but not Light, +Quick in discerning, and in Judging, Right; +Secret they shou'd, be faithful to their Trust, +In Reasoning Cool, Strong, Temperate and just. +Obliging, Open, without Huffing, Brave; +Brisk in gay talking, and in sober Grave. +Close in dispute, but not tenacious, try'd +By solid Reason, and let that decide; +Not prone to Lust, Revenge, or envious Hate; +Nor busy Medlers with Intrigues of State. +Strangers to Slander, and sworn Foes to spight, +Not Quarrelsom, but Stout enough to Fight: +Loyal and Pious, Friends to _Caesar_ true +As dying Martyrs to their Maker too. +In their Society I cou'd not miss, +A permanent, sincere, substaintial Bliss. + +Wou'd bounteous Heaven once more indulge, I'd chuse, +(For, who wou'd so much satisfaction lose, +As Witty Nymphs in Conversation give) +Near some obliging modest-fair to live; +For there's that sweetness in a female Mind, +Which in a Man's we cannot find; +That by a secret, but a pow'rful Art, } +Winds up the Spring of Life, and do's impart } +Fresh Vital Heat to the transported Heart, } +I'd have her Reason, and her Passions sway, +Easy in Company, in private Gay. +Coy to a Fop, to the deserving free, +Still Constant to her self, and Just to me. +A soul she shou'd have for great Actions fit, +Prudence, and Wisdom to direct her Wit. +Courage to look bold danger in the Face, +No Fear, but only to be Proud, or Base: +Quick to advise by an Emergence prest, +To give good Counsel, or to take the best. +I'd have th' Expression of her Thoughts be such, +She might not seem Reserv'd, nor talk too much; +That shows a want of Judgment, and of Sense; +More than enough is but Impertinence. +Her Conduct Regular, her Mirth refind, +Civil to Strangers, to her Neighbours kind. +Averse to Vanity, Revenge and Pride; +In all the Methods of Deceit untry'd: +So faithful to her Friend, and good to all, +No Censure might upon her Actions fall +Then wou'd even Envy be compell'd to say, +She goes the least of Woman kind astray. + +To this fair Creature I'd sometimes retire, +Her Conversation wou'd new Joys inspire. +Give Life and Edge so keen, no surly Care } +Wou'd venture to assault my Soul, or dare } +Near my Retreat to hide one secret Snare. } +But so Divine, so Noble a Repast. +I'd seldom, and with Moderation caste. +For highest Cordials all their Virtue lose, +By a too freequent, and to bold an use; +And what would cheer the Spirits in distress; +Ruins our Health when taken to Excess. + +I'd be concern'd in no litigious Jarr, +Belov'd by, all not vainly popular: +Whate'er Assistance I had power to bring +T'oblige my Country, or to serve my King, +Whene'er they call'd, I'd readily afford, +My Tongue, My Pen, my Counsel, or my Sword. +Law-suit I'd shun with as much Studious Care; +As I wou'd Dens where hungry Lyons are; +An rather put up injuries than be +A Plague to him, who'd be a plague to me. +I value Quiet at a Price too great, +To give for my Revenge so dear a Rate: +For what do we by all our bustle gain, +But counterfeit Delight for real Pain. + +If Heav'n a date of many years wou'd give, +Thus I'd in Pleasure, Ease and Plenty live. +And as I near approach'd the Verge of Life, +Some kind Relation (for I'd have no Wife) +Should take upon him all my Worldly Care, +While I did for a better State prepare. +Then I'd not be with any trouble vext. +Nor have the Evening of my Days perplext. +But by a silent, and a peaceful Death, +Without a Sigh, Resign my Aged Breath: +And when committed to the Dust, I'd have +Few Tears, but Friendly drop'd into my Grave. +Then wou'd my Exit so propitious be, +All Men wou'd wish to live and dye like me. + + +_FINIS._ + + + + +AN ANSWER TO +THE +PLEASURES +OF A +SINGLE LIFE: +OR, +THE COMFORTS +OF +MARRIAGE +Confirm'd and Vindicated: +With the Misery of Lying alone, prov'd and asserted. + + +_LONDON_, +Printed for _M. Goodwin_, near _Fleet Street_, 1701. + + + + +AN +ANSWER +To the Pleasure of a Single LIFE, &c. + + +When from Dark nothing Heaven the World did make +And all was Glorious it did undertake; +Then were in _Eden's_ Garden freely plac'd, +Each thing that's pleasant to the Sight and Tast; +'Twas fill'd with Beasts and Birds, Trees hung with Fruite +That might with Man's Cealestal Humour suite. +The World being made, both spacious and compleat, +Then Man was form'd most Nobly and Great; +When Heaven survey'd the Works that it had done, +Saw Male and Female, but found Man alone, +A baren Sex, and Insignificant, } +Then God made Woman to supply the want, } +And to make perfect which before was scant. } +The Word no sooner spoke, but it was done; +'Cause 'twas not fit for Man to be alone; +It was not in his power without a Wife, +To reap the happy Fruites of human Life; +Nay, more than this, Mankind long since had ceas'd, +And now had been surviv'd by senceless Beast, +He'd Slept and Wasted in obscurity, +And Darkly perish'd in his Infancy. +If Heaven, had not sent so blest a Creature, +To be the Treasure house of human Nature; +So the alwise Creator thought it best, +That Man and Wife together might be blest: +Appointed then immortal Bonds to tye, +Two Hearts in one, with equal Amity; +And so he than by his alwise Direction, +Both Souls united with the like affection; +So very sweetly and with such delight, +The swiftest Winged Minutes take their flight, +And thus Gods Love to Mankind did dispence, +The sacred Wedlock, which did then commence: +Not founded as some Criticks say, by chance; +But Heaven it self, did this blest State advance. +Not subject to the various Revolutions, +Of fickle fading human Institutions. +A Married Life was first contriv'd above, +To be an Emblem of Eternal Love; +And after by Divine indulgence sent, +To be the Crown of Man, and Wife's content; +Yet black Mouthed Envy Strives with all its might; +To blast the Credit of that sacred Rite. +The hard Mouth fops, a single Life applau'd, +And hates a Woman, that woun't be a Baw'd: +Nothing he values like a single Life, +For tho he loves a Whore, he hates a Wife, +Calls the poor Husband, Monkey, Ass or Dog, +And Laughs because he wears the Wedlock Clogg, +Yet freely they'l or'e tops of Houses Strolling, +And venture Bones each Night a Caterwouling +Expose himself to Falls, or Guns or Traps, } +And twenty other unforeseen Mishaps, } +All in his hot persuite of Whores and Claps. } + +Thus single Sots, who Wedlock vainly slight, +Are Slaves to Lust both Morning, Noon and Night +Ruin their Health, their Honour and Estate, +And buy Repentance at a curssed rate: +While lawful Weded Couples spend their times, +In happy charming Pleasures without Crimes, +What greater Bliss, or Comfort in this Life, +Can Man desire, but with a vertuous Wife: +I'le with a Wife in lawful Wedlock sport, +While you in Woods with Beastes of Prey resort: +Your bawdy Books, your silent Consort be, +While happy Man and Wife in Love agree, +And both unite in mutual Harmonie. +_Sodom_ for Sins like thine, by Fire was burn'd, +And from a City to a Lake was turn'd; +They Wedlock scornd, and Lust they made a Feast, +And far out did the senceless Savage Beast, +Even so, the shamless loathsom single Elff, +Worse than the Beast makes _Sodom_ of himself; +And then to lessen those his hateful Crimes, +He Rails at Wedlock in confused Rhimes, +Calls Woman Faithless, 'cause she woun't consent, +To humour what his Brutish Thoughts invent; +No wonder then, if with his poisonous Breath, +He strives to Blacken the Brightest thing on Earth: +Woman! by Heaven her very Name's a charm, +And will my Verse against all Criticks Arm; +She Comforts Man in all his Sweats and Toils, +And richly pays his Pains, with Love and Smiles. +'Tis Woman makes the ravish'd Poet write; +'Tis lovly Woman makes the Souldier Fight: +Should that soft Sex refuse the World to bless, +'Twould soon be turn'd into a Wilderness. + +A cursed Crow'd without all civil Rules, +A Herd of Drinking, Cheating, Fighting Fools; +Confusion, Madness would or'e spread the Stage, +And Man would be Destroy'd in one short Age; +Here Man must own, tho scarce without a Blush, +They rather do excel than Equal us; +As useful and more nimble are their Powers, +Their Judgments sharp, and sooner ripe than ours: +Yet foul Mouth'd Scribler, makes a publick Scorn, +On whom our great Redeemer he was Born; +But Sir! the Bays, they are so much their due; +They'l wear, inspite of impudence and you; +You are so hateful cruel and unjust, +To Load that Sex, with ugly brand of Lust: +_Those whome deserved Slights and losses vex, +Invent new Sins, and throw 'em on that Sex; +Whose thrifty wickedness the Sex forsakes, +He on these beauteous Fields a_ Sodom _makes: +He ne're assaults but where the Walls are slight, +True Bullies will with none but Cowards fight. +A vertuous Woman values fame too high, } +To let such Beastly Slaves her Walls come nigh, } +And that's the cause, he's now her Enemy: } +When the White flag you see by them hung out. +You then are wonderous daring bold and stout, +When once you but discover those within, +By their faint fire, have a low magazine. +A slender stock of Chastity in store, } +Your Oathes and Curses then like Cannon roar } +You Devil like; cry out a Whore, a Whore; } +But if a vertuous Wife you tempt in vain, +Who doth resist you with deserv'd disdain: +And forc'd to leave her with dispair and shame, } +Your Poisonous Tongue at least will blast her Fame, } +If her you can't; you'l ruin her good Name. } + +Is this the single Life you boast so much, +Are these the Charmes, that does your Fancy tutch, +Are these the Blessings which you have enjoy'd, +Are these the arts your lustful thoughts imploy'd; +'Tis plain your roving fancy is far worse, +Than that Blest state which you esteem a Curse; +You make it so by your insatiate mind, +Unbounded lust can never be confin'd. +It is a Riddle which I can't unfould +That any Man, can such base notions hold, +Disgrace all order, Marriage Bed defy +And gives Mankind and God himself the lye, +It is a shame, that any Man of Sense, +Should have so damn'd a_ stock _of Impudence; +Controul his Maker; and with his Laws dispence. +Blasphemeous wretch, the scorn of human race, +The very spawn of what is vile and base: +Who with your cursed pen, you're not afraid +To cross the end for which Mankind was made; +Alas! what could poor helpless Man have done +If he had been to live on Earth alone,_ +He'd been the worst of all God's vast Creation, +And sunk below the sence of procreation: +He'd muddl'd out his Days in private fear, +And when in sorrow none with him to share: +The Birds and Beasts each other chose his Mate, +And are above the stint of single Fate; +The whole Creation, hate's a single Life, +And shall not Man enjoy a loving Wife? +Sure this Wife Hater, lately came from Hell +To teach poor single Mortals to rebel, +Against the sacred Laws of God and Man +From whence the state of Wedlock first began, +To make our Minds diviner charmes to suite, +Which makes the differance 'twixt a Man and Bruite; +But this blasphemous Scribler tramples down, +These antient Fences; of such great renown, +And Lanshes forth among the Shelves and Rocks +And plead's for plagues of single Life and Pox: +He Courts in Print, all others to be Lewd, +Condemns a Wife and swears he will be rude: +He talks of Roving from each Pole, to Pole, +And with fresh lustful pleasures drown his Soul: +He calls that ease, which Christians counts a Sin, +And walks the Road which Thives and Rogues go in: +He plainly tells how he does spend his time +His lazey progress, shewes what is his Crime +His baudy Books, with Calves skin fenced round, +A proof enough, wherein his faults abound. +He talks of moderation or'e a Glass } +But mentions none of that when with his Lass, } +He's Knave in Grain; a Blockhead and an Ass. } +Because a Cuckold's Life was his hard fate, +Must Wedlock be abused at this rate? +Because he had a strumpit for his Wife, +He now commends a mopish single Life. +Let him content himself to live a Drone, +In some dark Corner of the World alone; +And trouble not his Brains with our blest State, +Which now is far above his wretched fate; +He talks of prayers a little while before, +And then he curss'd his Wife and call'd her whore. +Oh! meddley of confusion, never worse, +Must pray, then swear, give thanks to God and curse. +The Wife he lost, has faults as black as Hell. } +He sets her off, with a most dismal smell, } +But not one silible of his own he'l tell. } + +He owns his Cuckoldom, and which is worse; +How then the Cuckold su'd out his Divorce: +No doubts, the Wife, that he has Abdicated, +(Had he been good,) her ills had been abated: +But Women when provok'd, without a Cause, +They like enraged subjects, breaks the Lawes: +His Whip and Spur, was too unkindly us'd; +The weaker Vessel must not be abus'd. +If he too strictly held her by the reins, +He must accept the Cuckold for his pains. + +Farewel, thou scandal of a married Life, +Thou single Fop, grand Hater of a Wife; +Thou Plague to Churches, and to Women too, +'Tis time for either, to have done with you: +No more attempt, Heavens Laws for to confute, +No more advise Mankind, to be a Bruite; +_But spend they Days in some dark, lonesome Cave, +And to thy bruitish Lust be still a Slave._ +Go sneak in some vile Corner of the Earth, +With Pox and Plagues, resign thy poisonous Breath, +And may the worst of Torturs be thy Death. + + +_FINIS._ + + + + +THE Ladies Choice: +A POEM. + + +LONDON + +Printed, and Sold by _J. How_, and _B. Bragg_, at the _Blew-Ball_ +in _Avemary-Lane_, next _Ludgate-Street_, 1702. + + + + +THE LADIES CHOICE. + + + _Melissa Belinda._ + + Melissa. + +Prithee, _Belinda_ (for thou know'st I'm Young, +Unskill'd in Arts that to our Sex belong) +Thy wiser Counsels to my Youth impart; +Teach me at once to _Love_, and _Guard_ my Heart; +That I have _Wit_, can _Sing_ and _Dance_ you know, +And the Men tell me I am Pretty too; +I now have Fifteen pleasing Summers seen, +And have been Courted by twice Fifteen Men; +Still fresh Pretenders do my Peace Invade, +They _Write_, they _Visit, Sigh_ and _Serenade_, +And try allways to Catch a Harmless Maid. + +Then since our Virgin Thoughts are apt to Rove, +And few escape that Noble Passion _Love_, +Teach me, _Belinda_, by thy Arts to Chuse +What Suiters to Admit, and which Refuse._ + + _Belinda._ + +_Melissa_, I am glad you're so Discreet, } +For, that to more Experience you'll submit, } +Argues your want of _Vanity_, not _Wit_. } + +And yet, my Dear, 'tis difficult t' Advise, } +_Fools_ are so Plenty, and so Scarce the _Wise_: } +To judge of Men, we shou'd not Trust our Eyes; } +Outward Appearance may Delude the Sight; +Nor is it good to gaze too near the Light: +For tho' your _Beauty_, like a Painted Scene, +May Dang'rous prove to the Vile Race of Men, +Who at the greater distance do Admire, +And shun the heat of Love's Important Fire. +Whose _Little God_, like lesser Thieves, unseen, } +Steals to our Hearts, we scarce know how or when, } +His _Standard_ hoists and Guards the Fort Within; } +Then like a Tyrant does our Peace Controul, +And absolutely Lords it o'er the Soul: +Thus, with your _Heart_, your _Fortune_ he'll Dispose: +He does the _Man_, you but the _Husband_ chuse. +And tho' a _Fool_, you must the _Wretch_ receive; +For where we _Love_, we soon our Persons give. + +Therefore, _Melissa_, wisely Guard your Heart; +What _Nature_ won't defend, defend by _Art_: + +Shun, I advise you, most Devoutly shun, +Those _Servile Apes_ that swarm about the Town; +_Pert, Noisie Coxcombs, Self-admiring Beaux_, +Known by their _want_ of _Wit_, and _Gawdy Cloaths_: + +Of all the Creatures Nature does provide, +To stock the World from _Ignorance_ to _Pride_; +Of all that from her various Bosom spring, +A _Beau_ I think the oddest kind of thing; +A selfish Compound, singular, and Vain, +Half _Ass_, half _Puppet_, and the least of _Man_; +One that seems just for Nature's Pastime made, +A _Gawdy_ Carcass, with an _Empty Head_; +Whose only _Knowledge_ lies in _modish Dress_, +And seldom looks much further than his Glass. +A Creature only Govern'd by his Will; +And never _Reads_ above a _Taylors Bill_; +A Wretch extreamly _Whimsical_ and _Proud_, +Stiff in _Opinion, Talkative_ and _Loud_; +And that which most Compleatly Arms the _Fool_, +Is, That the _Fop's_ Emphatically dull. +That such, _Melissa_, may Address, 'tis true, +Write a soft _Song_, or senseless _Billetdoux_, +But 'tis _Themselves_ they _Admire_ in't, not _You_: +And she that's basely Yok'd with one of these, +Must e'en be Wedded to his _Vanities_; +Doat on a _Thing_ that scarce deserves a Name, +While he with _Slights_ rewards her Vertuous Flame: +For tell me, can he less _Indifferent_ prove, +Who thinks no Woman can Deserve his Love? +No, no, _Melissa_, never think he can; +For if you do, you're Cozen'd in your Man. + +Self-Affectation sways his little Sense; +Nought but _Himself_ he Loves, and _Ignorance_. +By fatal Chance, if such a Man you Wed, +Better, _Melissa_, thou had'st Dy'd a Maid: +Ev'n such a Lover, were a Plague too great; +From such a Husband, Guard me, Oh my Fate! + +Shun too, my Dear, the _Lewder Wits_ o' th' Town, +As watchfully as they'd avoid a Dun. +For such a Man too soon wou'd let you see, +_Lewdness_ and _Marriage_ do but ill Agree. +Oft at the Theatre such Sparks I've seen, } +With _Rakish Looks, half Drunk_, come Reeling in; } +Tossing their _Wigs_, their _Backs_ against the Scene. } +Regardless of the Play (a Mark of Wit) +Bow to some Lewd Companion in the Pit. +Take Snuff, fling round, in the Side-Box be seen, +Whisper a Mask, and then Retire again, +To some Lov'd _Tavern_, where's their chief Delight, } +There in Debaucheries they spend the Night, } +Then Stagger homeward by the Morning Light. } + +Thus the Extravagant squanders his Estate, +Scarce e'er Consid'ring till it be too late: +And then a _Wife_ must Cure the dang'rous Sore, +A _Fortune_ too, his _Acres_ must Restore; +The Woman Found, is by Addresses won; +They're _married_: He's _profuse_, and she's _undone_. +The Wound once heal'd, he soon forgets the Pain, +And takes the Trade of _Lewdness_ up again: +In Vicious Days and Nights his Life is spent; +The _Pleasure_ his, but her's the _Punishment_; +For now the Heav'n she Dreamt of, proves her Hell, +Whose only _Fault_ was Loving him too well. +Pensive all Day she sits; all Night alone; +She does her slighted Love, but more his Loss bemoan. +By kind Endearments Fraught with Innocence, +She strives to soften his Impenitence; +Fain wou'd she turn him from the winding Maze, +Win him to Love, and be the same he was; +But Vain her Sighs; her Prayers, her Tears are Vain, } +She might as soon her _Freedom_ re-obtain, } +As think to Mollifie th' obdurate Man. } +Who like her Person, slights the fond Advice, } +And when with Love she wou'd his Soul Entice, } +Flies from her Arms, and Revels in his Vice; } +Till she, alas, foreseeing what must come, +Consents, and with the little left he packs her home. + +Of such I give thee Caution to beware, } +Fly 'em, _Melissa_, like a Tim'rous Hare, } +That Strains along the Vales t'avoid the Hunters Snare. } + +And from a Soldier too, thy flight direct; +In his Rough Arms, what can a Maid expect; +Long Absent days, and tedious Widow'd Nights: +Are those the Marriage Joys, the vasts Delights +We promise to our selves, with him we Love? +Or shall we else such Constant Creatures prove, +To leave our Country, and turn Fugitive: +Follow the Camp, and with the Wanderer Live. +'Mongst War-like sounds our softer hours to pass, +Scorch in the Sun, and Sleep upon the Grass: +No, no, _Melissa_, 'tis an Auxious Life; +Honour's his Mistress; let it be his Wife. + +No Man of Bus'ness let thy Heart approve; +Bus'ness is oft an Enemy to Love: +Nor think, my Dear, thou canst be truly blest +With one that's _Wedded_ to his Interest. +Worldly Affairs does his Affections cloy, +_As that which shou'd preserve it, does destroy._ +'Twixt two Extreams you wretchedly must Live, +Or bad, or worse, as his Affairs do Thrive; +Whose good or ill Success, must be the Rule, +One makes him Insolent, and t'other Dull. + +Let no Aspiring Courtier be thy Choice; +Avoid in Courts, the Bustle and the Noise; +Where Vain _Ambition_ hurries on the Mind, +And always leaves more solid Joys behind: +As when the _Thrifty Clown_, securely Blest, +His _Barns_ with _Plenty_, with _Content_ his _Brest_, +Possest with hopes of a long lost Estate, +In haste forsakes his humble harmless Seat. +With Bagg and Bundle, Trots it up to Town, } +There wildly Gapes, and wanders up and down, } +And's kept in _Ignorance_ till he's undone. } +Some weighty Sums receiv'd for _Corn_ and _Cheese_, +Are _Spent_ in _Treats_, and _Giv'n_ away in _Fees_. +Mean while the _Lawyer_ so well Acts his Part, } +With empty Pockets, and an Aking Heart, } +He sends him home again to Plow and Cart. } + +So the _Gay Youth_ does Lavish his Estate, +And bribes into the Favour of the _Great_; +Prefer'd he sits like Fortunes Darling Son, +To's Friends, and what he was, a Stranger grown; +Till soon some turn of a Revolving State, +Leaves him to Curse _Ambition_, and his Fate; +Threaten'd with Want, perhaps the Youngster Writes, +And Lives (or rather Starves Genteely) by his Wits. + +Therefore, _Melissa_, Guard thee from surprize; +Let none of these betray thee, if thou'rt Wise; +Let not their Songs, nor Sighs, thy Soul Entice. +But if thou wou'dst be happy in thy Choice, +Above 'em all, a Gentleman prefer; +One free from Bus'ness, undisturb'd with Care; +Yet in the Publick Good (without Vile ends) +To serve his Country, and his Countries Friends: +Travel his Understanding shou'd improve; +For as it helps his Knowledge, 'twould his Love. +As to his Person, 'tis not to advise; +All Women see not with the self-same Eyes. +In that you might your own Opinion use, +Your Heart wou'd teach you; but were I to chuse, +He shou'd not be Effeminate or Proud, +(I hate the Man that is by Pride subdu'd). +In us I Grant a little Pride may be, +Much less a Crime (and may with Sense agree) +A Gift alone for our own Sex design'd, +To awe the loose Opinions of Mankind; +Who quickly else more Insolent wou'd grow: +'Tis Vertue's Guard, and Aids our Beauties too. + +A Gay Appearance shou'd not make me err; +I wou'd the Beauties of the Mind prefer. +Among the Few, I'd have a Man of Sense, +Endu'd with Modesty and Temperance; +Not with a great, and yet a good Estate; +Not too much Learning, nor Illiterate, +And yet he shou'd (avoiding each extream) +Know more of Man, than Man shou'd know of him. +Be Gen'rous and Well-bred, but not Profuse; +Not giv'n to Flattery, nor to take th' Abuse: +Gentile his Carriage, and his Humour such, +Shou'd speak him Sociable, but no Debauch. +A Lover of his Country, and a Friend to Wit +Read _Poetry_ he shou'd, but shou'd not write; +His Temper Lively, not to _Wildness_ bent, +His Talk Diverting, and yet Innocent; +Not Unreserv'd, nor yet too Nicely Wise, +Apter to Bear, than Offer Injuries; +Courage enough his Honour to defend, +But Constant in his Love, and Faithful to his Friend. + +This is the Man I'd to my Heart prefer; } +Such Men, _Melissa_, well deserve our Care; } +You'll say they're Scarce, and I must grant they are. } +Yet I resolve by such a Man, or none, +(Unless by Love betray'd) I will be won. + +But were I Woo'd by the _Embellish'd Youth_; +His Soul susceptible of Love and Truth: +By easie steps he shou'd attain my Heart, +By all the Proofs of Breeding, Wit, and Art. +Then like some Town, by _War-like Numbers_ sought, +That long against its Enemies has fought, +And oft with Courage brav'd the _shining Field_, } +Yet in the end by Want or Force compell'd, } +It does with Honour to the _Conqueror_ Yield. } + +So to my Lover I'd my Heart resign, +The Conquest his, the Glory should be mine. +With mutual Love my Nuptials shou'd be Blest, } +Then to my Arms I'd call the Welcome Guest, } +And Celebrate with Joy great _Hymen_'s Feast. } + +Marriage is Bondage, but where _Cupid_ Reigns, +The Yoke is easie; Glorious are the Chains: +His Fetters please, nor wish we to be Free, +But Glory in the Loss of Liberty: +And yet but half our Thanks we owe the Boy, +He gives us Love, 'tis _Hymen_ gives us Joy; +Well might the Poets feign those Gods a-kin, +For we are only Happy where they join. +As when _Aurora_ does the Bridal Morn, +With an uncommon Gayety Adorn +From its Illustrious Pride with ease we may +Foretel the Brightness of the coming Day: +So when true Love the Sacred Tye precedes, +Secure of Happiness that Couple weds; +No Threat'ning Storms do e'er Molest their Joy, +Nor Anxious Quarrels do their Peace destroy; +Their days slide on in the securest ease, +And Circle in Eternal Rounds of Bliss. + +Blest in my Wish thus far, my next should be, +(For I _Melissa_, wou'd live far and free +From the vile Tumults of this viler Town) +To have some little Cottage of my own; +No _Spacious_, but a _Pleasant_ Country Seat, +Where the Gay Spring shou'd smile on our Retreat; +Delightful Gardens shou'd the Structure Bound, +All _Love_ within, and _Innocence_ around; +Adorn'd with Fruit-Trees curious to the Eye, +With streaming Fountains, and a River nigh; +Where, low-grown Willows do recline their head, +And o'er its fall their Meeting Branches spread, +As tho' they were by careful Nature hung, } +To listen and regard its Murm'ring Song, } +Whose Silver current as it glides along; } +Does wash the Bank of some Delightful Grove, +Fragrant beneath, and shaded all above; +Where the fresh Seasons breathe their vital Air, +And pretty Birds with untaught Songs repair; +Where spreading Pines, and taller Poplars grow, +Young Elms that do a pleasing Prospect show. +Where Bow'rs of Yew, and twisted Hazles stand, +With cluster'd Filberts to invite the hand; +A Place by Nature fram'd to feast the Mind, +By Art for Solitude and Love design'd; +Where we wou'd walk, and waste our idler hours, +Gather the luscious Fruits and various Flowers, +Crop from their stalks the Columbine and Rose, } +And from its Branch, the juicy Peach unlose, } +And ev'ry Sweet of Nature should it self disclose. } + +So the first Pair, of Innocence possest, +Were in their Native _EDEN_ truly Blest; +At large they rang'd o'er all the flow'ry Land, +And pluck'd their Food from Nature's lib'ral Hand: +Tripp'd o'er the Soil, and to the Fountains ran. +The Happy Woman _She_, and _He_ the Happy Man. + +Next in my Family I'd employ my Care, +My Attendance few, but honest and sincere; +I wou'd not have our happier Delights, +Destroy'd by Gaming Days, or Drinking Nights. +Nor yet look shye upon those Friends he brought, +I wou'd seem Pleasant, tho' I lik'd them not: +Courteous to all, and Lib'ral to the Poor, +They still shou'd chant their Blessings at my Door; +From whence dissatisfy'd they shou'd not go, +Lest Heaven shou'd retrench its Bounty too; +No Jars among my Servants shou'd be found, +But Chains of lasting Peace shou'd still run round. + +Thus we'd the Innocence of Life enjoy, +For Love's a Beauty which does seldom cloy. +As Peaceful Monarchs do their Kingdoms Sway, +He shou'd my Heart, and I'd in Love obey, +No change of Fortune shou'd pervert our flame, +But with the good or bad, be still the same. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PLEASURES OF A SINGLE LIFE, OR, +THE MISERIES OF MATRIMONY*** + + +******* This file should be named 13800.txt or 13800.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/8/0/13800 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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