@3Barnzy stiffly vows that he's no cuckold, Yet the vulgar everywhere salutes him With strange signs of horns, from ev'ry corner; Wheresoe'er he comes a sundry cuckoo Still frequents his ears, yet he's no cuckold. But this Barnzy knows that his Matilda Scorning him with Harvy plays the wanton; Knows it? nay desires it, and by prayers Daily begs of heav'n, that it for ever May stand firm for him, yet he's no cuckold: And 'tis true, for Harvy keeps Matilda, Fosters Barnzy, and relieves his household, Buys the cradle, and begets the children, Pays the nurses, ev'ry charge defraying, And thus truly plays Matilda's husband: So that Barnzy now becomes a cipher And himself th' adult'rer of Matilda. Mock not him with horns, the case is altered; Harvy bears the wrong, he proves the cuckold.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SHORT SONG OF CONGRATULATION by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) VOICES by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS WILLIE AND HELEN by HEW AINSLIE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON HELEN'S TOWER by ROBERT BROWNING TO THE AUTHOR OF A SONNET BEGINNING 'SAD IS MY VERSE' by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |