Chuse you for me, who best shall be content To guide your choice; this wife must not be old. 100 Old fish at table, but young flesh in bed. In that cold season Love but treats his guest 105 111 'Tis what concerns my soul's eternal bliss; 115 And sink downright to Satan when I die : 120 Think not I dote: 'tis time to take a wife, When vig'rous blood forbids a chaster life : Those that are blest with store of grace divine, 125 May live like saints by heav'n's consent and mine. And since I speak of wedlock, let me say, (As thank my stars, in modest truth I may,) My limbs are active, still I'm sound at heart, And a new vigour springs in ev'ry part. 130 Think not my virtue lost, though Time has shed Old as I am, my lusty limbs appear Like winter greens, that flourish all the year. Now, Sirs, you know to what I stand inclin'd, 'Let ev'ry friend with freedom speak his mind. 135 140 He said; the rest in diff'rent parts divide; The knotty point was urg'd on either side: Marriage, the theme on which they all declaim'd, Some prais'd with wit, and some with reason blam'd. Till, what with proofs, objections, and replies, Each wondrous positive, and wondrous wise, There fell between his brothers a debate; Placebo this was call'd, and Justin that. First to the Knight Placebo thus begun, (Mild were his looks, and pleasing was his tone.) 145 Such prudence, Sir, in all your words appears, As plainly proves experience dwells with years! 150 Yet you pursue sage Solomon's advice, To work by counsel when affairs are nice : But, with the Wise Man's leave, I must protest, As still I hold my own advice the best. Sir, I have liv'd a courtier all my days, And study'd men, their manners, and their ways; 66 To let my betters always have their will. Let him not dare to vent his dang'rous thought; 160 166 This, Sir, affects not you, whose ev'ry word With rev'rend dulness and grave impotence. 175 Justin, who silent sate, and heard the man, Thus, with a philosophic frown, began. A Heathen author, of the first degree, (Who, though not faith, had sense as well as we,) Or such a wit as no man e'er can rule. 180 185 190 Bless the kind Fates, and think your fortune rare. Ah, gentle Sir, take warning of a friend, Who knows too well the state you thus commend; And, spite of all his praises, must declare, 196 All he can find is bondage, cost, and care. 200 Demure and chaste as any vestal nun, And trust me, Sir, the chastest you could chuse If what I speak my noble lord offend, 205 210 My tedious sermon here is at an end. 215 'Tis well, 'tis wondrous well, the Knight replies; Most worthy kinsman, faith you're mighty wise! We, Sirs, are fools; and must resign the cause To Heath'nish authors, proverbs, and old saws. He spoke with scorn, and turn'd another way: 220 What does my friend, my dear Placebo, say? I say, quoth he, by heav'n the man's to blame, To slander wives, and wedlock's holy name. At this the council rose, without delay; Each, in his own opinion, went his way; With full consent, that, all disputes appeas'd, 225 The Knight should marry, when and where he pleas'd. |