CEASE thy blushes and thy sorrow, Boldly woo, and not aside, Civil they will be to-morrow, And thou thus wilt win thy bride. 'Tis the fiddle makes the revel, -- Give, then, the musicians gold; Though thou wish them at the devil, Kiss thy aunts-in-law, though old. Give a prince his meed of laurel, Of a woman speak not ill; With thy sausages don't quarrel When thou hast a sow to kill. If the church to thee is hateful, All the more attend its shrine; To the parson be thou grateful, Send him, too, a flask of wine. If an itching chance to teaze thee, Like a man of honour, scratch; If thy shoe be tight and squeeze thee, Slippers get with all despatch. If thy soup has too much seasoning, Be not in an angry mood; Smiling say, instead of reasoning: "Sweet wife, all thou cook'st is good." If thy wife a wish expresses For a shawl, straight buy her two; Buy her golden brooches, dresses, Lace and jewels not a few. If thou'lt give this plan a trial, Then, my friend, thou'lt surely gain Heaven to bless thy self-denial, And on earth to peace attain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THRUSH'S NEST by JOHN CLARE THE BROOK; AN IDYL: THE BROOK'S SONG by ALFRED TENNYSON THE FAIREST HE by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR FAREWELL TO THE MUSE by GEORGE GORDON BYRON JANUARY AND MAY, OR THE MERCHANT'S TALE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |