The Snug Bit of Land in the Ocean/The Marriage Act

by Anonymous

For other versions of this work, see The Marriage Act.

Divider from 'The Snug Bit of Land in the Ocean', a chapbook printed in Glasgow in 1800

THE MARRIAGE ACT.

The fool that is wealthy is sure of a bride;
For riches, like fig-leaves, their nakedness hide;
The slave that is poor must starve all his life,
In a batchelor's bed, without mistress or wife.

 In good days of yore they ne'er troubled their heads,
In settling of jointures, or making of deeds;
But Adam and Eve, when they first enter'd course,
E'en took one another, for better, for worse.

 Then prithee, dear Chloe, ne'er aim to be great;
Let love be thy jointure; ne'er mind an estate:
You can never be poor, who have all those charms;
And I shall be rich, when I've you in mine arms.