Divider from 'The Black Bird', an undated Scottish chapbook with no printing information
THE CONTENTED MAN.
My dog and my mistress are both of a kind,As fickle as fancy, inconstant as wind;My dog follows every strange heel in the streets,And my mistress as fond of each fellow she meets.Yet, in spite of her arts, I'll not make the least strife,But be cheery, and merry, and happy thro' life.
Go Miss where she will, and whenever she please,Her conduct shall ne'er my philosophy teaze,Her freedom shall never imbitter my glee,One woman's the same as another to me.So, in spite of her airs, I'll not make the least strife,But be cheery, and merry, and happy thro' life.
I laught at the wretches who stupidly pine,For false-hearted gipsey's, they title divine;At worst of my love-fits, no physic I ask,But that which is found in the bowl or the flask.For go things how they will, I'll not make the least strifeBut be cheery, and merry, and happy thro' life.
The girl that behaves with good humour and sense,Shall still to my heart have the warmest pretence;And for those that would jilt me, deceive and betray,In honester bumpers I'll wash them away.'Tis my final resolve, not to make the least strife,But be cheery, and merry, and happy thro' life.
