I SOME praise the brown, and some the fair; Some best like black, some flaxen hair: Some love the tall, and some the low; Some choose, who's quick; and some, who's slow. II If in all men one mind did dwell, Too many would lead apes in hell: But, that no maid her mate may lack, For every Joan there is a Jack. III Thus, I have mine own fancy too; And vow, none but the poor to woo; My love shall come (when e'er I wed) As naked to the church, as bed. IV The fair, the chaste, the wisest dame, Though nobly born, and of best fame, (By all the gods,) would ne'er enthrall My heart, if she were rich withall. V I money count as great a fault, As poorness is 'mongst others thought: With thousand goods you'll find supplied The want of portion in a bride. VI There's no such gag, to still the loud; There's no such curb, to rule the proud: It never fails to stint all strife; It makes one master of his wife. VII Should I reveal each good effect, (Though poverty now bring neglect,) Suitors would throng about the poor, Ne'er knocking at the rich maid's door. VIII Then, lest that some should surfeits want, And others starve the while for want, What rests (the rich not to offend,) I'll only tell to some choice friend. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by ROBERT FROST THE AMERICAN FOREST GIRL by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS SONNET: ADDRESSED TO HAYDON (2) by JOHN KEATS THE HARVEST MOON; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE SMALL CELANDINE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH ODES: BOOK 1: ODE 15. TO THE EVENING STAR by MARK AKENSIDE SOLILOQUIES OF A SMALL-TOWN TAXI-DRIVER: ON THE WRITING OF POETRY by EDGAR BARRATT |