If I am old and ugly, well for you;
No lewd adulterer will my love pursue;
Nor jealousy, the bane of married life,
Shall haunt you for a wither'd homely wife:
For age and ugliness, as all agree,

Are the best guards of female chastity.

'Yet since I see your mind is worldly bent,
I'll do my best to further your content:
And, therefore, of two gifts in my dispose,
Think, ere you speak, I grant you leave to choose:
Would you I should be still deform'd and old,
Nauseous to touch, and loathsome to behold;
On this condition, to remain for life,
A careful, tender, and obedient wife,
In all I can contribute to your ease,

And not in deed, or word, or thought, displease?
Or would you rather have me young and fair,
And take the chance that happens to your share?
Temptations are in beauty and in youth,
And how can you depend upon my truth?
Now weigh the danger with the doubtful bliss,
And thank yourself, if aught should fall amiss.'
Sore sigh'd the knight, who this long sermon
heard:

At length, considering all, his heart he cheer'd;
And thus replied: My lady and my wife,

To your wise conduct I resign my life;
Choose you for me, for well you understand
The future good and ill on either hand :
But if an humble husband may request,
Provide and order all things for the best;
Yours be the care to profit and to please,

And let your subject servant take his ease.'

"Then thus in peace,' quoth she, 'concludes the

strife,

Since I am turn'd the husband, you the wife:

The matrimonial victory is mine,
Which, having fairly gain'd, I will resign.
Forgive, if I have said or done amiss,
And seal the bargain with a friendly kiss:
I promised you but one content to share,
But now I will become both good and fair.
No nuptial quarrel shall disturb your ease;
The business of my life shall be to please:
And for my beauty, that, as time shall try;
But draw the curtain first, and cast your eye.'

He look'd, and saw a creature heavenly fair,
In bloom of youth, and of a charming air:
With joy he turn'd, and seized her ivory arm,
And, like Pygmalion, found the statue warm.
Small arguments there needed to prevail;
A storm of kisses pour'd as thick as hail.
Thus long in mutual bliss they lay embraced,
And their first love continued to the last :
One sunshine was their life, no cloud between,
Nor ever was a kinder couple seen.

And so may all our lives like theirs be led : Heaven send the maids young husbands, fresh in

bed;

May widows wed as often as they can,

And ever for the better change their man;
And some devouring plague pursue their lives,
Who will not well be govern'd by their wives!

DRYDEN.

THE

COCK AND THE FOX;

AND

OTHER POEMS.

PUBLISHED NOV. 1,1824; BY JOHN SHARPE, LONDON.