* * * * * ALEXIS. (Book xiii. § 7, p. 894.) What abject wretches do we make ourselves By giving up the freedom and delights Of single life to a capricious woman! Then, if she brings an ample fortune too, Her pride, and her pretensions are increased, And what should be a benefit, becomes A bitter curse, and grievous punishment. The anger of a man may well be borne, 'Tis quick, and sudden, but as soon subsides; It has a honied sweetness when compared To that of woman. If a man receives An injury, he may resent at first, But he will quickly pardon. Women first Offer the injury, then to increase Th' offence, instead of soothing, they inflict A deeper wound by obstinate resentment— Neglect what's fit and proper to be done, But eagerly pursue the thing they should not;— And then they grow fantastical withal, When they are perfectly in health complain In faint and feeble tone, "they're sick, they die."—ANON. * * * * * ARISTOPHON. (Book xiii. § 8, p. 894.) A man may marry once without a crime, But cursed is he who weds a second time.—CUMBERLAND. * * * * * MENANDER. (Book xiii. § 8, p. 895.) _A._ While prudence guides, change not, at any rate, A life of freedom for the married state: I ventured once to play that desperate game, And therefore warn you not to do the same. _B._ The counsel may be sage which you advance, But I'm resolved to take the common chance. _A._ Mild gales attend that voyage of your life, And waft you safely through the sea of strife: Not the dire Libyan, nor Ægean sea, Where out of thirty ships scarce perish three; But that, where daring fools most dearly pay, Where all that sail are surely cast away.—FAWKES. * * * * * ALEXIS. (Book xiii. § 13, p. 899.)