SATYR.
119
As if there were no Appetite, nor Gust,
Below Adultery, in modish Lust;
Or no Debauchery were exquisite,
20 Until it has attain'd its perfect Height.
For Men do now take Wives to nobler Ends,
Not to bear Children, but to bear 'em Friends,
Whom nothing can oblige at such a Rate,
As these endearing Offices of late.
25 For Men are now grown wise, and understand
How to improve their Crimes, as well as Land;
And if th' have Issue, make the Infants pay
Down for their own Begetting on the Day,
The Charges of the Gossiping disburse,
30 And pay beforehand (ere they're born) the Nurse;
As he that got a Monster on a Cow,
Out of Design of setting up a Show.
For why should not the Brats for all account,
As well as for the Christ'ning at the Fount,
35 When those that stand for them, lay down the Rate
O'th'Banquet and the Priest, in Spoons and Plate.
The antient Romans made the State allow,
For getting all Men's Children above two:
Below Adultery, in modish Lust;
Or no Debauchery were exquisite,
20 Until it has attain'd its perfect Height.
For Men do now take Wives to nobler Ends,
Not to bear Children, but to bear 'em Friends,
Whom nothing can oblige at such a Rate,
As these endearing Offices of late.
25 For Men are now grown wise, and understand
How to improve their Crimes, as well as Land;
And if th' have Issue, make the Infants pay
Down for their own Begetting on the Day,
The Charges of the Gossiping disburse,
30 And pay beforehand (ere they're born) the Nurse;
As he that got a Monster on a Cow,
Out of Design of setting up a Show.
For why should not the Brats for all account,
As well as for the Christ'ning at the Fount,
35 When those that stand for them, lay down the Rate
O'th'Banquet and the Priest, in Spoons and Plate.
The antient Romans made the State allow,
For getting all Men's Children above two:
