Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/291
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The WIFE of BATH.
255
But once grow sleek, will from her corner run,
Sport with her tail, and wanton in the sun;
She licks her fair round face, and frisks abroad
To show her furr, and to be catterwaw'd.
Lo thus, my friends, I wrought to my desires
These three right ancient, venerable fires.
I told 'em, Thus you say, and thus you do———
And told 'em false, but Jenkin swore 'twas true.
I, like a dog, could bite as well as whine:
And first complain'd, whene'er the guilt was mine:
I tax'd them oft' with wenching and amours,
When their weak legs scarce dragg'd 'em out of doors;
And swore the rambles that I took by night,
Were all to spy what damsels they bedight.
That colour brought me many hours of mirth;
For all this wit is giv'n us from our birth:
Heav'n gave to woman the peculiar grace
To spin, to weep, and cully human race.
By this nice conduct and this prudent course,
By murm'ring, wheedling, stratagem and force,
Sport with her tail, and wanton in the sun;
She licks her fair round face, and frisks abroad
To show her furr, and to be catterwaw'd.
Lo thus, my friends, I wrought to my desires
These three right ancient, venerable fires.
I told 'em, Thus you say, and thus you do———
And told 'em false, but Jenkin swore 'twas true.
I, like a dog, could bite as well as whine:
And first complain'd, whene'er the guilt was mine:
I tax'd them oft' with wenching and amours,
When their weak legs scarce dragg'd 'em out of doors;
And swore the rambles that I took by night,
Were all to spy what damsels they bedight.
That colour brought me many hours of mirth;
For all this wit is giv'n us from our birth:
Heav'n gave to woman the peculiar grace
To spin, to weep, and cully human race.
By this nice conduct and this prudent course,
By murm'ring, wheedling, stratagem and force,
I still