THE PLEASURES OF A SINGLE LIFE Or, The Miseries of Matrimony Occasionally Writ Upon the many DIVORCES lately Granted by Parliament. WITH THE CHOICE, OR, THE _Pleasures of a Country_-LIFE. _Dedicated to the_ Beaus _against the next Vacation._ _London_: Printed and Sold by _H. Hills_, in _Black-fryars_, near the Water-side. 1709. _Price One Penny._ Wedlock, oh! Curs'd uncomfortable State, Cause of my Woes, and Object of my hate. How bless'd was I? Ah, once how happy me? When I from those uneasie Bonds were free; How calm my Joys? How peaceful was my Breast, Till with thy fatal Cares too soon opprest, The World seem'd Paradice, so bless'd the Soil Wherein I liv'd, that Business was no Toil; Life was a Comfort, which produc'd each day New Joys, that still preserv'd me from decay, Thus Heav'n first launch'd me into pacifick Seas, Where free from Storms I mov'd with gentle Breeze; My Sails proportion'd, and my Vessell tite, } Coasting in Pleasures-Bay I steer'd aright, } Pallac'd with true Content, and fraighted with delight } Books my Companions were wherein I found Needful Advice, without a noisy Sound, But was with friendly pleasing silence taught, Wisdom's best Rules, to fructify my Thought, Rais'd up our Sage Fore-fathers from the dead, } And when I pleas'd, invok'd them to my Aid, } Who at my Study-Bar without a Fee would plead: } Whilst I Chief Justice sat, heard all their Sutes, And gave my Judgment on their learn'd Disputes; Strove to determine ev'ry Cause aright, And for my Pains found Profit and Delight, Free from Partiality; I fear'd no blame, Desir'd no Brib'ry, and deserv'd no Shame, But like an upright Judge, grudg'd no Expence Of time, to fathom Truth with Diligence, Reading by Day, Contemplating by Night, Till Conscience told me that I judg'd aright, Then to my Paper-World I'd have recourse, And by my Maps run o'er the Universe; Sail round the Globe, and touch at every Port, Survey those Shoars where Men untam'd resort, View the old Regions where the _Persian_ Lord Taught Wooden Deities first to be Ador'd, Ensnar'd at last to Sacrifice his Life To the base Pride of an Adult'rous Wife, And where the _Grecian_ Youth to Arms inur'd. } The hungry Soil with _Persian_ Blood manur'd, } Where bold _Busephilus_ brutal Conduct show'd, } The force of monstrous Elephants withstood, And with his Rider waded through a purple Flood.