The Works of Alexander Pope Esq Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1757 Excerpt: ...wife To dear-bought wifdom give the credit due, And think, for once, a woman tells you true. In all thefe trials I have borne a part, I was myfelf the fcourge that caus'd the fmart; For, fince fifteen, in triumph have I led Five captive hufbands from the church to bed. Chrift faw a wedding once, the Scripture fays, Andfaw but one, 'tis thought, in all his days; 10 Whence fome infer, whofe confcience is too nice, No pious Chriftian ought to marry twice. But let them read, and folve me, if-they can, The words addrefs'd to the Samaritan: Five times in lawful wedlock fhe was join'd; 15 And fure the certain ftint was ne'er defin'd. Encreafe and multiply, was heav'n's command, And that's a text I clearly underftand. This too, " Let men their fires and mothers leave, And to their dearer wives for ever cleave." 20 More wives than one by Solomon were try'd, Or elfe the wifeft of mankind's bely'd. I've had myfelf full many a merry fit; And truft in heav'n I may have many yet. For when my tranfitory fpoufe, unkind, 25" Shall die, and leave his woeful wife behind, I'll take the next good" Chriftian I can find. Paul, knowing one could never ferve our turn, Declar'd 'twas better far to wed than burn. There's danger in affembling fire and tow; 00 I grant 'em that, and what it means you know. The fame Apoftle too has elfewhere own'd, No precept for Virginity he found: 'Tis but a counfel--and we women ftill Take which we like, the counfel, or our will. 35 I envy not their blifs, if he or fhe Think fit to live in perfect chaftity; Pure let them be, and free from taint or vice; I, for a few flight fpots, am not fo nice. Heav'n calls us diff'rent ways, on thefe beftows 40 One proper gift, another grants to thofe: Not every man's oblig'd to fell his ftore, ...