Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/286
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The WIFE of BATH.
Such as are perfect, may, I can't deny;
But, by your leave, divines, so am not I.
Full many a saint, since first the world began,
Liv'd an unspotted maid in spite of man:
Let such (a God's name) with fine wheat be fed,
And let us honest wives eat barly bread.
For me, I'll keep the post assign'd by heav'n,
And use the copious talent it has giv'n;
Let my good spouse pay tribute, do me right,
And keep an equal reckning ev'ry night;
His proper body is not his, but mine;
For so said Paul, and Paul's a sound divine.
Know then, of those five husbands I have had,
Three were just tolerable, two were bad.
The three were old, but rich and fond beside,
And toil'd most piteously to please their bride:
But since their wealth (the best they had) was mine,
The rest, without much loss, I could resign.
Sure to be lov'd, I took no pains to please,
Yet had more pleasure far than they had ease.
But, by your leave, divines, so am not I.
Full many a saint, since first the world began,
Liv'd an unspotted maid in spite of man:
Let such (a God's name) with fine wheat be fed,
And let us honest wives eat barly bread.
For me, I'll keep the post assign'd by heav'n,
And use the copious talent it has giv'n;
Let my good spouse pay tribute, do me right,
And keep an equal reckning ev'ry night;
His proper body is not his, but mine;
For so said Paul, and Paul's a sound divine.
Know then, of those five husbands I have had,
Three were just tolerable, two were bad.
The three were old, but rich and fond beside,
And toil'd most piteously to please their bride:
But since their wealth (the best they had) was mine,
The rest, without much loss, I could resign.
Sure to be lov'd, I took no pains to please,
Yet had more pleasure far than they had ease.
Presents