Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/300
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The WIFE of BATH.
A Conjurer once, that deeply could divine,
Assur'd me, Mars in Taurus was my sign.
As the stars order'd, such my life has been:
Alas, alas, that ever love was sin!
Fair Venus gave me fire, and sprightly grace,
And Mars assurance, and a dauntless face.
By virtue of this pow'rful constellation,
I follow'd always my own inclination.
But to my tale: a month scarce pass'd away,
With dance and song we kept the nuptial day.
All I possess'd I gave to his command,
My goods and chattels, mony, house, and land:
But oft' repented, and repent it still;
He prov'd a rebel to my sov'reign will:
Nay once by heav'n he struck me on the face;
Hear but the fact, and judge your selves the case.
Stubborn as any lioness was I;
And knew full well to raise my voice on high;
As true a rambler as I was before,
And would be so, in spight of all he swore.
Assur'd me, Mars in Taurus was my sign.
As the stars order'd, such my life has been:
Alas, alas, that ever love was sin!
Fair Venus gave me fire, and sprightly grace,
And Mars assurance, and a dauntless face.
By virtue of this pow'rful constellation,
I follow'd always my own inclination.
But to my tale: a month scarce pass'd away,
With dance and song we kept the nuptial day.
All I possess'd I gave to his command,
My goods and chattels, mony, house, and land:
But oft' repented, and repent it still;
He prov'd a rebel to my sov'reign will:
Nay once by heav'n he struck me on the face;
Hear but the fact, and judge your selves the case.
Stubborn as any lioness was I;
And knew full well to raise my voice on high;
As true a rambler as I was before,
And would be so, in spight of all he swore.
He,