Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MAKE THE WIFE KIND by EDWARD MOORE (1712-1757)

First Line: TO MAKE THE WIFE KIND, AND TO KEEP THE HOUSE STILL
Last Line: AS TO MAKE, BY YOUR JEALOUSY, HORNS FOR YOURSELVES.
Subject(s): JEALOUSY; MARRIAGE; TRUST; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;
TO make the wife kind, and to keep the house still,
You must be of her mind, let her say what she will;
In all that she does you must give her her way,
For tell her she's wrong, and you lead her astray.

CHORUS.

Then husbands! take care, of suspicion beware,
Your wives may be true if you fancy they are;
With confidence trust them, and be not such elves
As to make, by your jealousy, horns for yourselves.

Abroad all the day if she chooses to roam,
Seem pleas'd with her absence, she'll sigh to come home;
The man she likes best, and longs most to get at,
Be sure to commend, and she'll hate him for that.

CHORUS.

Then husbands! &c.

What virtues she has you may safely oppose;
Whatever her follies are, praise her for those:
Applaud all her schemes that she lays for a man,
For accuse her of vice, and she'll sin if she can.

CHORUS.

Then husbands! take care, of suspicion beware,
Your wives may be true if you fancy they are;
With confidence trust them, and be not such elves
As to make, by your jealousy, horns for yourselves.



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