This is the way all parents prove, In managing their childrens' love; That force 'em t' intermarry and wed, 125 As if th' were bur'ing of the dead; Cast earth to earth, as in the grave, To join in wedlock all they have: And when the settlement's in force, Take all the rest for better or worse; 130 For money has a power above The stars and fate to manage love; Whose arrows, learned poets hold, That never miss, are tipp'd with gold. And though some say, the parents' claims 135 To make love in their childrens' names, Who many times at once provide The nurse, the husband, and the bride Feel darts and charms, attracts and flames, And woo and contract in their names; 140 And as they christen, use to marry 'em, And, like their gossips, answer for 'em; Is not to give in matrimony, But sell and prostitute for money; 'Tis better than their own betrothing, 145 Who often do't for worse than nothing; And when th' are at their own dispose, With greater disadvantage choose. All this is right; but for the course You take to do't, by fraud or force, 150 'Tis so ridiculous, as soon As told, 'tis never to be done; No more than setters can betray, That tell what tricks they are to play. Marriage, at best, is but a vow, 155 Which all men either break or bow: Then what will those forbear to do, Who perjure when they do but woo? Such as before-hand swear and lie For earnest to their treachery; 160 And, rather than a crime confess, With greater strive to make it less; Like thieves, who, after sentence past, Maintain their innocence to the last; And when their crimes were made appear 165 As plain as witnesses can swear, Yet, when the wretches come to die, Will take upon their death a lie, Nor are the virtues you confest T' your ghostly father, as you guest, 170 So slight as to be justify'd By being as shamefully deny'd, As if you thought your word would pass Point-blank on both sides of a case; Or credit were not to be lost 175 B' a brave Knight-Errant of the Post, That eats perfidiously his word, And swears his ears through a two inch board: Can own the same thing, and disown, And perjure booty, Pro and Con: 180 Can make the Gospel serve his turn, And help him out, to be forsworn; When 'tis laid hands upon, and kist, To be betray'd and sold like Christ. These are the virtues in whose name 185 A right to all the world you claim, And boldly challenge a dominion, In grace and nature, o'er all women; Of whom no less will satisfy Than all the sex your tyranny, 190 Although you'll find it a hard province, With all your crafty frauds and covins, To govern such a num'rous crew, Who, one by one, now govern you: