Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/293
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
The WIFE of BATH.
257
"Approach, my spouse, and let me kiss thy cheek;
"Thou should'st be always thus, resign'd and meek!
"Of Job's great patience since so oft' you preach,
"Well should you practise, who so well can teach.
"'Tis difficult to do, I must allow,
"But I, my dearest, will instruct you how.
"Great is the blessing of a prudent wife,
"Who puts a period to domestic strife!
"One of us two must rule, and one obey;
"And since in man right reason bears the sway,
"Let that frail thing, weak woman, have her way.
"The wives of all our race have ever rul'd
"Their tender husbands, and their passions cool'd.
"Fye, 'tis unmanly thus to sigh and groan;
"What? would you have me to your self alone?
"Why take me, Love! take all and ev'ry part!
"Here's your revenge! you love it at your heart.
"Would I vouchsafe to sell what nature gave,
"You little think what custom I could have?
"Thou should'st be always thus, resign'd and meek!
"Of Job's great patience since so oft' you preach,
"Well should you practise, who so well can teach.
"'Tis difficult to do, I must allow,
"But I, my dearest, will instruct you how.
"Great is the blessing of a prudent wife,
"Who puts a period to domestic strife!
"One of us two must rule, and one obey;
"And since in man right reason bears the sway,
"Let that frail thing, weak woman, have her way.
"The wives of all our race have ever rul'd
"Their tender husbands, and their passions cool'd.
"Fye, 'tis unmanly thus to sigh and groan;
"What? would you have me to your self alone?
"Why take me, Love! take all and ev'ry part!
"Here's your revenge! you love it at your heart.
"Would I vouchsafe to sell what nature gave,
"You little think what custom I could have?
"But