Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PROPERTIES OF A GOOD WIFE, by ROYALL TYLER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PROPERTIES OF A GOOD WIFE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Attend ye fair, who wish to prove
Last Line: "from every ravish'd tongue."
Alternate Author Name(s): Old Simon; S.
Subject(s): Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


Proverbs, Chap. 31, 10th verse

ATTEND ye fair, who wish to prove
The richest joys of wedded love,
To Israel's wisest king;
And let the fairest sex prepare
To hear the wisest lips declare
The bliss which virtues bring.

By his prophetic parent taught,
The regal bard, with wisdom fraught,
Pour'd forth the golden strain;
While Judah's virgins on him hung,
To catch the accents of his tongue,
And hear their prince exclaim,

"Who can a virtuous woman find,
Whose beauties sparkle in her mind,
In modest glory bright;
Nor rubies flaming from the mine,
Are priz'd so high, so brightly shine,
To please the raptur'd sight.

Her husband's heart shall on her rest,
Her prudence makes him truly blest,
She bids his fortune smile;
He need not in the blood-stain'd field,
The fierce banditti's sword e'er wield
To gain the dang'rous spoil.

Through all his pro'perous, joyous days,
Her virtues shall command his praise,
And, though to blame inclin'd,
No action of her blameless life,
Shall stain her conduct as a wife,
To vex her husband's mind.

She brings the fleecy treasure home,
And plies the distaff and the loom,
By labour gains her health
Like some rich ship, the merchant's pride,
Who labours thro' the distant tide,
She brings her husband wealth.

While night repels the grey-ey'd dawn,
Before light ushers in the morn,
Dull slumber she forsakes;
To feed her busy household train,
Prepares for them the kneaded grain,
In wholesome household cakes.

The sluggard's farm no increase yields,
She buys his long neglected fields,
And tills the barren ground;
Where grew the bramble and the thorn,
She bids the grass the fields adorn,
And plenteous crops abound.

Strength nerves her limbs with active grace,
Health blushes on her ruddy face,
Her tapers burn by night;
Through night's lone hours, to labour prone,
She views the works her hands have done,
Rejoicing at the sight.

She whirls the spindle with her hand,
The distaff she can well command,
To raise her husband's store;
But when she hears the needy cry,
Her hand affords a quick supply,
To bless the starving poor.

She dreads not winter's driving snow;
Nor all the stormy winds that blow,
Her household train can harm;
Her wardrobe clothes can well supply,
Stain'd with the scarlet's vivid dye,
To keep her menials warm.

Rich tapestry bedecks her limbs,
Through which the golden foliage climbs,
To deck her graceful form;
Her robes of silk in splendour shine,
Like sparkling juice of purple wine,
The brilliant fair adorn.

Among the honour'd and the great,
Her husband takes a lordly seat,
On bench of judgment rais'd;
'Midst reverend elders he is found,
With honours he is always crown'd,
And always known and prais'd.

She shall rejoice in time to come,
Honour and strength her robes become,
And when she deigns to speak,
Grave wisdom from her lips shall fall,
The law of kindness free from gall,
Her tongue shall still repeat.

With prudent foresight she inspects,
Her household ways, and oft corrects,
With gentleness and sense;
Her children rise and bless her name,
Her husband shall her worth proclaim,
And sound her excellence.

Vain is the hope, which favour brings,
From beauty no true honour springs,
But piety endures;
Though Israel's daughters all exceed,
Yet yours is glory's brighest mead,
And excellency yours.

Give her the fruits her hands have done;
In crowded gates, her name alone,
In triumph shall be sung,
Where'er her noble works are found,
There shall her envy'd praise resound.
From every ravish'd tongue."





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