Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/248
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212
JANUARY and MAY.
Do what you list, for me; you must be sage,
And cautious sure; for wisdom is in Age:
But, at these years, to venture on the fair!
By him, who made the ocean, earth, and air,
To please a wife, when her occasions call,
Would busy the most vig'rous of us all.
And trust me, Sir, the chastest you can chuse
Will ask observance, and exact her dues.
If what I speak my noble Lord offend,
My tedious sermon here is at an end.
'Tis well, 'tis wond'rous well, the Knight replies,
Most worthy kinsman, faith you're mighty wise!
We, Sirs, are fools; and must resign the cause
To heath'nish authors, proverbs, and old saws.
He spoke with scorn, and turn'd another way;—
What does my friend, my dear Placebo say?
I say, quoth he, by heav'n the man's to blame,
To slander wives, and wedlock's holy name.
At this, the council rose, without delay;
Each, in his own opinion, went his way;
And cautious sure; for wisdom is in Age:
But, at these years, to venture on the fair!
By him, who made the ocean, earth, and air,
To please a wife, when her occasions call,
Would busy the most vig'rous of us all.
And trust me, Sir, the chastest you can chuse
Will ask observance, and exact her dues.
If what I speak my noble Lord offend,
My tedious sermon here is at an end.
'Tis well, 'tis wond'rous well, the Knight replies,
Most worthy kinsman, faith you're mighty wise!
We, Sirs, are fools; and must resign the cause
To heath'nish authors, proverbs, and old saws.
He spoke with scorn, and turn'd another way;—
What does my friend, my dear Placebo say?
I say, quoth he, by heav'n the man's to blame,
To slander wives, and wedlock's holy name.
At this, the council rose, without delay;
Each, in his own opinion, went his way;
With