And find divulged the secrets they would hide. The married man may bear his yoke with ease, Secure at once himself and heav'n to please; And pass his inoffensive hours away, In bliss all night, and innocence all day: 40 Though fortune change, his constant spouse remains, Augments his joys, or mitigates his pains. But what so pure, which envious tongues will spare? Some wicked wits have libelled all the fair. With matchless impudence they style a wife 45 The dear-bought curse, and lawful plague of life; A bosom serpent, a domestic evil, A night invasion, and a mid-day devil. Let not the wise these sland'rous words regard, But curse the bones of ev'ry lying bard.[5] 50 All other goods by fortune's hand are giv'n, A wife is the peculiar gift of heav'n. Vain fortune's favours, never at a stay, Like empty shadows, pass, and glide away; One solid comfort, our eternal wife, 55 Abundantly supplies us all our life; This blessing lasts, if those who try, say true, As long as heart can wish--and longer too. Our grandsire Adam, ere of Eve possessed, Alone, and ev'n in Paradise unblessed, 60 With mournful looks the blissful scenes surveyed, And wandered in the solitary shade. The Maker saw, took pity, and bestowed Woman, the last, the best reserve of God. A wife! ah gentle deities,[6] can he, 65 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:[7] 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:[8] At Hester's suit, the persecuting sword 75 Was sheathed, and Israel lived to bless the Lord. These weighty motives, January the sage Maturely pondered in his riper age; And charmed with virtuous joys, and sober life, Would try that christian comfort, called a wife. 80 His friends were summoned on a point so nice,[9] To pass their judgment, and to give advice; But fixed before, and well resolved was he, As men that ask advice are wont to be. My friends, he cried (and cast a mournful look 85 Around the room, and sighed before he spoke): Beneath the weight of threescore years I bend, And, worn with cares, am hast'ning to my end; How I have lived, alas! you know too well, In worldly follies, which I blush to tell; 90 But gracious heav'n has ope'd my eyes at last,