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Printed for W. CAVIL, T. MARTIN, T. FRENCH,

and J. WREN.

MDCCXCV.

THE

WIFE OF BATH,

From CHAUCER.

EHOLD the woes of matrimonial life,

Band hear with rev'rence an experienc'd wife!

To dear-bought wisdom give the credit due,
And think, for once, a woman tells
you true.
In all these trials I have borne a part,
I was myself the fcourge that caus'd the smart;
For, fince fifteen, in triumph have I led
Five captive husbands from the church to bed.

5

Chrift faw a wedding once, the Scripture fays; And faw but one, 'tis thought, in all his days; 10 Whence fome infer, whofe confcience is too nice, No pious Chriftian ought to marry twice.

But let them read, and folve me, if they can, The words addrefs'd to the Samaritan:

Five times in lawful wedlock she was join'd; 15 And fure the certain ftint was ne'er defin'd.

Increase and multiply, was Heav'n's command, And that's a text I clearly understand.

This too,

"Let men their fires and mothers leave

And to their dearer wives for ever cleave." 20 More wives than one by Solomon were try'd,

Or elfe the wifeft of mankind's bely'd.

VOL. II,

A

I've

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