Ev'n though the Pope himself had sat at table.[12] But when my point was gained, then thus I spoke, "Billy, my dear, how sheepishly you look? Approach, my spouse, and let me kiss thy cheek; Thou should'st be always thus resigned and meek! 185 Of Job's great patience since so oft you preach, Well should you practise, who so well can teach. 'Tis difficult to do, I must allow, But I, my dearest, will instruct you how. Great is the blessing of a prudent wife, 190 Who puts a period to domestic strife. One of us two must rule, and one obey; } And since in man right reason bears the sway, } Let that frail thing, weak woman, have her way. } The wives of all my family have ruled 195 Their tender husbands, and their passions cooled. Fye, 'tis unmanly thus to sigh and groan; What! would you have me to yourself alone? Why take me, love! take all and ev'ry part! Here's your revenge! you love it at your heart. 200 Would I vouchsafe to sell what nature gave, You little think what custom I could have. But see! I'm all your own--nay hold--for shame! What means my dear--indeed--you are to blame." Thus with my first three lords I passed my life; 205 A very woman, and a very wife. What sums from these old spouses I could raise, Procured young husbands in my riper days. Though past my bloom,[13] not yet decayed was I, Wanton and wild, and chattered like a pye. 210 In country dances still I bore the bell. And sung as sweet as ev'ning Philomel. To clear my quail-pipe, and refresh my soul, Full oft I drained the spicy nut-brown bowl; Rich luscious wines, that youthful blood improve, 215 And warm the swelling veins to feats of love: For 'tis as sure as cold ingenders hail, A liqu'rish mouth must have a lech'rous tail; Wine lets no lover unrewarded go, As all true gamesters by experience know. 220 But oh, good gods! whene'er a thought I cast On all the joys of youth and beauty past, To find in pleasures I have had my part, Still warms me to the bottom of my heart. This wicked world was once my dear delight; 225 Now all my conquests, all my charms, good night! The flour consumed, the best that now I can, Is e'en to make my market of the bran.[14] My fourth dear spouse was not exceeding true! He kept, 'twas thought, a private miss or two: 230 But all that score I paid--as how? you'll say, Not with my body, in a filthy way: But I so dressed, and danced, and drank, and dined; And viewed a friend, with eyes so very kind, As stung his heart, and made his marrow fry,[15] 235