History of two brothers misfortunes/Choice of a Wife

SONGS.

 

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CHOICE OF A WIFE.

When a man is determin’d on taking a wife,
’Tis a time to be nice—his quiet’s the price,
The odds are against—he’s wretched for life,
I can point out the charm to remove ev’ry harm,
So attend all ye batchelors taking a wife.
’Tis not the face, ’tis nor the air,
’Tis not the grace, tho’ debonair,
’Tis not the glance, or brilliant eye,
’Tis not the dance, or tender sigh:
Nor hand, nor shape, nor leg, nor air,
Nor mouth, nor teeth, nor skin tho’ fair,

Without a mind, tho’ all in one,
I’d value not a feather;
Good humour is the chain alone,
That links them all together.

Then fix not alone on a beautiful face,
For what could you do with a fair little shrew,
Whose tongue with your patience would never keep pace?
You ne’er could new mould her, for worse when she’s older,
You’d in vain seek the mind in a beautiful face.
’Tis not the face, &c.