Then with a Curt'fy took her leave,

And thank'd him for the Wit he gave:
By which sh'improv'd in Sense and Grace,
Incredibly for fuch a space:

And going homeward, on her way
Contriv'd a Lye, t'excuse her Stay.

Her Coufin Nan difcover'd foon,
That Lucy more discreet was grown ;
And rightly gueffing 'twan't for nought,
Moft, earnestly the Reafon fought.
The Girl with fuch Entreaties prefs'd,
To Coufin Nan the whole confefs'd:
Told all the Fryar did or faid,
And what a stock of Wit he had.

Then fays, Dear Coufin, let me crave,
Pray whence got you the Wit you have?

Why

Why Faith! to tell the truth, quoth she,
Your Brother Joseph gave it me.

How, Lucy cries, my Brother Jo!
Pray where had be it to beftow?

Or which way could he, good now Nanny,
Give Wit, that ne'er himself had any?
You make me blush, says Nan, I fwear,
To think how ignorant you are,

Believe me, fuch Affairs as thefe

Require not Men fo very Wife.

Ask your own Mother, he can tell,

Tour Mother knows this Truth full well,
That Fools in giving Wit excel.

1

ON

ON

Mrs. BARBIERE'S

First Appearance on the Stage at the Rehearsal of Almahide.

N

By the fame Hand.

Pleasure now from Nicolini's Tongue,
In vain he ftrives to move us with his Song:

On a Fair Syren we have fix'd our Choice,
And wait with longing Ears for Barbiere's Voice.

When lo! the Nymph by bashful Awe betray'd! Her faultring Tongue denies her Looks its Aid; But fo much Innocence adorns her Fears,

And with such Grace her Modesty she wears;
By her Disorder all her Charms encrease,
And had she better Sung; fhe'ad pleas'd us less.

ΟΝ Α

Book written by a married Man, Entituled, The Pleasures of Matrimony. Sent to the Author:

its Weight,

HO can but fmile, when those, that feel

WH

[State?

Take Pains to recommend the Nuptial

Thus Ducks decoy'd themselves their kindred [cheat,

And strive to ease their own, by others Fate.
Thus crafty Reynard, when his Tail was gone,
Preach'd up th' Advantages of having none.
But vain these Arts, and vain the thin Disguise,
We fee the Cheat, and all your Tricks despise.
For who that hath the Joys of Freedom known,
Would chufe to put the Marriage Fetters on;
To bind himself a Gally-Slave for Life,
And drag about that galling Load, a Wife.

Qne

One while she rants with never-ceafing Voice; Jove's loudest Thunder makes a fmaller Noife: Next Moment the employs her fofter Airs, And like th' Hyana drops diffembling Tears: Pride, Jealoufie, Revenge have each their share, And all the Plagues of Life by turns appear.

Th'unmarried Youth no anxious Cares molest, No Sorrows difcompofe his peaceful Breast; His Heart and Thoughts are as his Perfon free, And Pleasure courts him with Variety. With sparkling Wines he oft revives his Soul, And drowns all Trouble in the Cordial Bowl: Then finds fome Nymph who freely yields her

[Heart,

And ftrives to eafe the faithful Lover's Smart;

Who thinks her Kindnefs Charm enough to move, And scorns all other Bonds, but thofe of Love.

Nor's