To one you love--is that a theme for wit? 'Twas wrong, and I shall henceforth judge it weak Both of submission and control to speak: Be it agreed that all contention cease, And no such follies vex our future peace; Let each keep guard against domestic strife, And find nor slave nor tyrant in his wife." "Agreed," said Clubb, "with all my soul agreed;" - And to the boy, delighted, gave his steed. "I think my friend has well his mind express'd, And I assent; such things are not a jest." "True," said the Wife, "no longer he can hide The truth that pains him by his wounded pride: Your friend has found it not an easy thing, Beneath his yoke this yielding soul to bring: These weeping willows, though they seem inclined By every breeze, yet not the strongest wind Can from their bent divert this weak but stubborn kind; Drooping they seek your pity to excite, But 'tis at once their nature and delight; Such women feel not; while they sigh and weep, 'Tis but their habit--their affections sleep; They are like ice that in the hand we hold, So very melting, yet so very cold; On such affection let not man rely, The husbands suffer, and the ladies sigh: But your friend's offer let us kindly take, And spare his pride for his vexation's sake; For he has found, and through his life will find, 'Tis easiest dealing with the firmest mind - More just when it resists, and, when it yields, more kind." TALE XIX. THE CONVERT. A tapster is a good trade, and an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered serving-man, a fresh tapster. SHAKESPEARE, Merry Wives of Windsor. A fellow, Sir, that I have known go about with troll-my-dames. A Winter's Tale. I myself, sometimes leaving the fear of Heaven on the left hand, and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am forced to shuffle, to hedge, and to lurch. Merry Wives of Windsor. Yea, and at that very moment, Consideration like an angel came, And whipp'd th' offending Adam out of him. Henry V. I have lived long enough: my way of life Is fall'n into the sear, the yellow leaf; And that which should accompany old age, As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have. Macbeth. --------------------------