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.