And to her pride thy manhood sacrifice.
But those thine equals most respect thy will,
And thou art lord of thy plantation still.
Choose, then, the golden mean and heed this rule,
A fortune-hunter ever is Fortune's fool.
To age and temper, too, give careful thought;
Reason thy guide; nor act like one distraught.
Marriage is real, not an idle dream,
And most secure when grounded in esteem.
Who rules thy household, cheers thy humble hearth,
Should be a woman of domestic worth,
In morals unreproached, upright in soul,
And blest with meekness, patience, self-control.
Some folks aver that there are women plenty
Who have these virtues at the age of twenty;
Though I'm inclined to think you best would thrive,
At thirty years, with one of twenty-five.
For love thrives longest when their ages be
Not too far distant, yet the elder he.
To such an one, at least, pay your devotion
As you can train to your peculiar notion.
Old maids and widows, when disposed to get
Into their thinking-caps, are rather set,
And habits once ingrained are hard to cure;
You will find the task much easier to endure.
And when you farmers marry, don't go off
Too far from home, or all the girls will scoff;
And then 'twill save both money and a jaw,
By being where she will see her dear mamma.
Should she in thy ill-fortune prove forgiving,
Such sweetness will enhance your zest for living;
