Our HERO, who had heard apart, Felt something moving in his heart; But quickly, with disdain, suppress'd The virtue rising in his breast; And, first, he feign'd to laugh aloud, And next, approaching, smil'd and bow'd. 'MADAM, you must not think me rude, Good manners never can intrude; I vow I came through pure good-nature; (Upon my soul a charming creature!) Are these the comforts of a wife? This careful, cloister'd, moping life? No doubt, that odious thing, call'd duty, Is a sweet province for a beauty. Thou pretty ignorance! thy will Is measur'd to thy want of skill; That good old-fashion'd dame, thy mother, Has taught thy infant years no other. The greatest ill in the creation Is, sure, the want of education! 'But think ye (tell me without feigning) Have all these charms no farther meaning? Dame NATURE, if you don't forget her, Might teach your ladyship much better. For shame, reject this mean employment, Enter the world, and taste enjoyment; Where time, by circling bliss we measure, Beauty was form'd alone for pleasure; Come, prove the blessing, follow me; Be wise, be happy, and be free.' "Kind sir," reply'd our MATRON chaste, "Your zeal seems pretty much in haste; I own the fondness to be blest, Is a deep thirst in every breast; Of blessings too I have my store, Yet quarrel not, should heav'n give more; Then prove the change to be expedient, And think me, sir, your most obedient." Here turning, as to one inferior, Our gallant spoke, and smil'd superior: 'Methinks, to quit your boasted station Requires a world of hesitation; Where brats and bonds are held a blessing, The case, I doubt, is past redressing: Why, child, suppose the joys I mention Were the mere fruits of my invention, You've cause sufficient for your carriage, In flying from the curse of marriage; That sly decoy, with vary'd snares, That takes your widgeons in by pairs; Alike to husband, and to wife, The cure of love, and bane of life; The only method of forecasting To make misfortune firm and lasting; The sin, by heav'n's peculiar sentence, Unpardon'd, through a life's repentance. It is the double snake, that weds A common tail to diff'rent heads; That leads the carcase still astray, By dragging each a diff'rent way. Of all the ills that may attend me, From marriage, mighty GODS, defend me! 'Give me frank NATURE'S wild demesne, And boundless tract of air serene, Where FANCY, ever wing'd for change, Delights to sport, delights to range! There, LIBERTY! to thee is owing Whate'er of bliss is worth bestowing; Delights, still vary'd, and divine, Sweet goddess of the hills! are thine. 'What say you now, you pretty pink, you? Have I, for once, spoke reason, think you? You take me now for no romancer-- Come, never study for an answer; Away, cast ev'ry care behind ye, And fly where joy alone shall find ye.'