The Ten Pleasures of Marriage: and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married CoupleMarsh, A.
General
The Ten Pleasures of Marriage: and the Second Part, The Confession of the New Married Couple
Marsh, A.
Marriage
These are much like unto those that take delight in Pleasure-boats and
Barges, who with the smallest gale of wind, are stormed out of all
their occupations; nay, although they were never so important, yet the
very breathing of a warm Zephyr blows not only all business out of
their heads, but themselves in person out of their Shops and
Counting-houses.
Here you may behold them with unwearied bodies rigging of their Masts,
spreading of their Sails, hailing up their Spreet and Leeboards, and
all in a sweat catching hold of the Oars to be rowing, whilest at home
they are too weak or lazy to move or stir the least thing in the
World, nay can hardly bring pen to paper. For to neglect such a
gallant and pleasant day of weather, would be a crime unpardonable.
_No lover of a boat, may stay within a Port,
Though Shop and Office both, should dearly suffer for't._
Others again are sworn Pigeon Merchants, and every Market day in the
forenoon precisely, let it cost what it will, must be attending there,
and the rest of the week both morning and afternoon at their
Pigeon-traps. Here in they take an infinite pleasure, hushing up their
Pigeons to flight, then observing the course they take; looking upon
the turning of their Tumblers; and then to the very utmost, commending
the actions, carriages and colours of their Great Runts, Small Runts,
Carriers, Light Horsemen, Barberies, Croppers, Broad-tail'd Shakers,
and Jacopins; taking care and making so much provision for their young
ones, that they let both their own young, and the house-keeping, run
to destruction.
But there are the Cock-Merchants surpass these abundantly; who, upon
certain penalties, must at the least, thrice a week appear in the
Cock-pit; and there, before the Battel begins, consume two or three
hours at Tables, and in Wine, Beer and Tobacco; whilest they attend
there the coming of their Adversaries and other lovers of the sport.
Here then a view must be taken of each others Cocks, which are
forsooth according to their merits and value, set apart in their Coops
either in the yard, or above in the Garret, to be fed as is most
convenient; and there's then a discourse held concerning them, as if
they were persons of some extraordinary state, quality, and great
valour. Not a word must be spoke, (as much as if there were a penalty
imposed upon it) but of Cock-fighting. Here Master Capon vaunts that
his Game-Cock was hard enough for the gallant Shake-bag of Sir John
Boaster; although Sir John Boasters famous Shake-bag, but three weeks
before, had fought against that incomparable Game-Cock of Squire
Owls-eg, and claw'd him off severely.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account