Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/290
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254
The WIFE of BATH.
Why are thy chests all lock'd? on what design?
Are not thy worldly goods and treasure mine?
Sir, I'm no fool: nor shall you, by St. John,
Have goods and body to your self alone.
One you shall quit—in spight of both your eyes—
I heed not, I, the bolts, the locks, the spies.
If you had wit, you'd say, "Go where you will,
"Dear spouse, I credit not the tales they tell.
"Take all the freedoms of a married life;
"I know thee for a virtuous, faithful wife.
Lord! when you have enough, what need you care
How merrily soever others fare?
Tho' all the day I take and give delight,
Doubt not, sufficient will be left at night.
'Tis but a just and rational desire,
To light a taper at a neighbour's fire.
There's danger too, you think, in rich array,
And none can long be modest that are gay.
The Cat, if you but sindge her tabby skin,
The chimney keeps, and sits content within;
Are not thy worldly goods and treasure mine?
Sir, I'm no fool: nor shall you, by St. John,
Have goods and body to your self alone.
One you shall quit—in spight of both your eyes—
I heed not, I, the bolts, the locks, the spies.
If you had wit, you'd say, "Go where you will,
"Dear spouse, I credit not the tales they tell.
"Take all the freedoms of a married life;
"I know thee for a virtuous, faithful wife.
Lord! when you have enough, what need you care
How merrily soever others fare?
Tho' all the day I take and give delight,
Doubt not, sufficient will be left at night.
'Tis but a just and rational desire,
To light a taper at a neighbour's fire.
There's danger too, you think, in rich array,
And none can long be modest that are gay.
The Cat, if you but sindge her tabby skin,
The chimney keeps, and sits content within;
But