Beds of roses (1)/The choice of a wife

THE CHOICE OF A WIFE.

IN city, town, & village, my fancy oft has mov’d,
A Phillis and a Chloe, I ev’ry where have lov'd,
But, tir’d with variety, to marriage I’m inclin’d,
Would fortune only grant me a partner to my mind.
Then I’d go no more a roving,
But constant as the dove,
My time I’d pass with such a lass,
In harmony and love.Then, &c.

I care not for completion, be she black, brown or fair,
If she has but discretion, and meaning in her air;
Her shape I’d have graceful, to pride & folly blind,
To mind the one thing needful, to cultivate the mind.
Then I’d go no more a roving, &c

An animated form, where sense & sweetness move,
And innocence refining the tenderness of love:
From scolding & scandal, I’d have her tongue be free.
And always neat and clean keep herself & family,
Then i d go no more a roving, &c.

I’d have a just decorum in all her actions shine,
With a temper condescending to suit herself & mine,
Ora cheerful disposition, with honour free & gay,
And sometimes with a song to pass the time away.
Then I’d go no more a roving, &c.

It shall not be my study to court a leaden purse,
Altho’ with that ingredient she will not be the worse,
Let modesty, reserve, be her property and choice,
Not over fond to cloy, and yet not over nice.
Then I’d go no more a roving &c.

To heighten my affection, & double all my joy,
A prospect I would have of a lovely girl or boy;
And out of what f have, for it’s what I would allow,
I would charitable have her, and hospitable too.
Then I’d go no more a roving, &c.

This granted, I would freely my liberty resign,
She’d give me her heart & hand, & I’d give her mine,
A monarch on his throne then unenvy’d should be,
For home would be a paradise with such a girl as she,

Then I’d go no more a roving,
But constant as the dove,
My time I’d pass with such a lass,
In harmony and love
Then I’d go no more a roving.