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, 95 And many heads are wiser still than one, Chuse you for me,[10] 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:[11] 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 105 With bean-straw, 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, 115 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 pow'rs above, And not for pleasure only, or for love.[12] Think not I doat; 'tis time to take a wife, When vig'rous blood forbids a chaster life: Those that are blest with store of grace divine, 125 May live like saints, by heav'n's consent, and mine.[13] And since I speak of wedlock, let me say, (As, thank my stars, in modest truth I may,) My limbs are active, still I'm sound at heart, And a new vigour springs in ev'ry part. 130 Think not my virtue lost, though time has shed These rev'rend honours on my hoary head: Thus trees are crowned with blossoms white as snow, The vital sap then rising from below.[14] Old as I am, my lusty limbs appear 135 Like winter greens, that flourish all the year. Now, sirs, you know, to what I stand inclined, Let ev'ry friend with freedom speak his mind.[15] He said; the rest in diff'rent parts divide; The knotty point was urged on either side: 140 Marriage, the theme on which they all declaimed, Some praised with wit, and some with reason blamed, Till, what with proofs, objections, and replies, Each wond'rous positive, and wond'rous wise, There fell between his brothers a debate, 145 Placebo this was called, and Justin that.