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A married state affords° but little ease
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offers |
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The best of husbands are so hard to please.
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This in wives’ careful faces you may spell
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Though they dissemble° their misfortunes well.
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fake |
| 5 |
A virgin state is crowned with much content;
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It’s always happy as it’s innocent.
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No blustering husbands to create your fears;
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No pangs of childbirth to extort your tears;
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No children’s cries for to offend your ears;
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| 10 |
Few worldly crosses to distract your prayers:
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Thus are you freed from all the cares that do
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Attend on matrimony and a husband too.
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Therefore Madam, be advised by me
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Turn, turn apostate° to love’s levity,°
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unbeliever — changeableness |
| 15 |
Suppress wild nature if she dare rebel.
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There’s no such thing as leading apes in hell. |
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