A wife! ah, gentle deities! can he That has a wife e'er feel adversity? Would men but follow what the sex advise, All things would prosper, all the world grow wise. Twas by Rebecca's aid that Jacob won His father's blessing from an elder son: 70 Abusive Nabal owed his forfeit life To the wise conduct of a prudent wife: Heroic Judith, as old Hebrews show, Preserved the Jews, and slew th' Assyrian foe: At Hester's suit, the persecuting sword Was sheath'd, and Israel lived to bless the Lord. These weighty motives January the sage Maturely ponder'd in his riper age; And, charm'd with virtuous joys, and sober life, Would try that Christian comfort, call'd a wife. 80 His friends were summon'd on a point so nice To pass their judgment, and to give advice; But fix'd before, and well resolved was he; (As men that ask advice are wont to be). 'My friends,' he cried (and cast a mournful look Around the room, and sigh'd before he spoke), 'Beneath the weight of threescore years I bend, And, worn with cares, am hastening to my end: How I have lived, alas! you know too well, In worldly follies which I blush to tell, 90 But gracious Heaven has oped my eyes at last, With due regret I view my vices past, And, as the precept of the church decrees, Will take a wife, and live in holy ease: But since by counsel all things should be done, And many heads are wiser still than one; Choose you for me, who best shall be content When my desire's approved by your consent. 'One caution yet is needful to be told, To guide your choice: this wife must not be old: 100 There goes a saying, and 'twas shrewdly said, Old fish at table, but young flesh in bed. My soul abhors the tasteless dry embrace Of a stale virgin with a winter face: In that cold season Love but treats his guest With beanstraw, and tough forage at the best. No crafty widows shall approach my bed; Those are too wise for bachelors to wed. As subtle clerks by many schools are made, Twice-married dames are mistresses o' th' trade: 110 But young and tender virgins, ruled with ease, We form like wax, and mould them as we please. 'Conceive me, sirs, nor take my sense amiss; 'Tis what concerns my soul's eternal bliss; Since, if I found no pleasure in my spouse, As flesh is frail, and who (God help me) knows? Then should I live in lewd adultery, And sink downright to Satan when I die: Or were I cursed with an unfruitful bed, The righteous end were lost for which I wed; 120 To raise up seed to bless the powers above, And not for pleasure only, or for love. Think not I dote; 'tis time to take a wife, When vigorous blood forbids a chaster life: Those that are bless'd with store of grace divine, May live like saints, by Heaven's consent and mine!