The Scene Changed, or, Betty's ta'en the Gee/Chapter 4
The OLD MAN'S ADVICE to his SON.
COME hither my dutiful son,
and take this good counsel of me;
All folly endeavour to shun,
that prosperous you may be
In all the affairs of your life,
and that you to riches may rise;
And also in chusing a wife
it is good to be merry and wise.
Chuse not for a great many pence,
among the fine gaudy and gay,
For a woman well furnish'd with sense,
is fifty times better than they:
For one in insolent pride,
perhaps may your counsel despise,
When another will draw by your side,
it is good to be merry and wise.
Be sure you draw both in one yoke,
one hand, one heart, and one purse,
Each other pray never provoke.
lest your blessing should turn to a curse.
Be careful and kind to your wife,
and be not too often disguis'd;
Be sober and lead a good life,
it is good to be merry and wise.
Some men will scorn and deride,
good men of industrious care
Who does by their labour provide,
both food and apparel to wear:
Be careful and value not them,
in their ruin and fall they will rise,
For there's a good name to be got,
to all men who are merry and wise.
Some men they nothing will save,
like ragged extravagant elves,
And for a desire to have
their neighbours as poor as themselves:
They will strive in their malice and spleen,
like ravenous wolves in disguise;
You may know very well that I mean;
it is good to be merry and wise.
I have been a father to you,
and so I will to your wife;
Nothing shall be wanting in me,
to the longest day of my life:
And if you amend what's amiss,
and not my good counsel despise.
Then will I conclude all with this,
dear son you’ll be merry and wise.