Then with a Curt’ly took her leave,
And thank'd him for the Wit he gave:
By which sh’improv'd in Sense and Grace, i
Incredibly for such a space:
And going homeward, on her way
Contriv'd a Lye, t'excuse her Stay.

Her Cousin Nan discoyer'd soon,
That Lucy more discreet was grown;
And rightly guessing 'twan't for nought,
Most earnestly the Reason fought.
The Girl with such Entreaties press’d,
To Cousin Nan the whole confess’d:
Told all the Fryar did or said,
And what a stock of Wit he had.
Then says, Dear Cousin, let me crave,
Pray whence got you the Wit you have?

Why

Why Faith! to tell the truth, quoth she,
Your Brother Joseph gave it me.
How, Lucy cries, my Brother Jo!
Pray where had he it to bestow ?
Or which way could be, good now Nanny,
Give Wit, that ne'er himself had any?
You make me blush, says Nan, I swear,
To think how ignorant you are.
Believe me, such Affairs as the fe
Require not Men fo very Wise:
Ask your own Mother, he can tell,
Tour Mother, knows this Truth full well,
That Fools in giving Wit excel.

Ο Ν

Mrs. BARBIERE's First Appearance on the Stage at

the Rehearsal of Almahide.

By the same Hand.

N;

O Pleasure now from Nicolini's Tongue,

In vain he strives to move us with his Song: On a Fair Syren we have fix'd our Choice, And wait with longing Ears for Barbiere's Voice.

When lo! the Nymph by bashful Awe betray'd! Her faultring Tongue denies her: Looks its Aid; But so much Innocence adorns her Fears, And with such Grace her Modesty she wears; By her Disorder all her Charms encrease, And had the better Sung; she’ad pleas’d us less.

Ο Ν. Α

Book written by a married Man,

Entituled, The Pleasures of Matrimony. Sent to the Author.

WHO

[State?

its Weight, HO can but smile, when those, that feel

Take Pains to recommend the Nuptial Thus Ducks decoy'd themselves their kindred

[cheat, : And strive to ease their own, by others Fate.

Thus crafty Reynard, when his Tail was gone, . Preach'd up th’Advantages of having none. But vain these Arts, and vain the thin Disguise, We see the Cheat, and all your Tricks despise. For who that hath the Joys of Freedom known, Would chuse to put the Marriage Fetters on; To bind himself a Gally-Slave for Life, And drag about that galling Load, a Wife.

One

One while she rants with never-ceasing Voice; Jove's loudest Thunder makes a smaller Noise: ! Next Moment she employs her softer Airs, : ... And like th’Hyæna drops dissembling Tears: Pride, Jealousie, Revenge have each their share, And all the Plagues of Life by turns appear.

Th’unmarried Youth no anxious Cares moleft, No Sorrows discompose his peaceful Breast; His Heart and Thoughts are as his Person free, And Pleasure courts him with Väriety. With sparkling Wines he oft revives his Soul, And drowns all Trouble in the Cordial Bowl: Then finds fome Nymph who freely yields her

[Heart, And strives to ease the faithful Lover's Smart; Who thinks her Kindness Charm enough to move, And scorns all other Bonds, but those of Love.