"If Reason governs Man's superior Mind, / A ready Cunning prompts the Female Kind."
— Gay, John (1685-1732)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for Bernard Lintott
Date
1713
Metaphor
"If Reason governs Man's superior Mind, / A ready Cunning prompts the Female Kind."
Metaphor in Context
EPILOGUE
The Toil of Wedlock five Times bravely past,
You'll say, 'twas cruel to be baulk'd at last.
Grown old in Cupid's Camp--long vers'd in Arms,
I from my Youth have known the Pow'r of Charms:
Was I to single Combat ever slow?
Did I e'er turn my Back upon the Foe?
Is this the Way old Service is rewarded,
And must the joyless Widow be discarded?
Stint me not, Love--But while I yet survive,
Throw in another Comfort to the Five.
Bless me!--When I reflect on former Days!
Youth can make Conquests sev'ral thousand Ways;
I danc'd, I sung, I smil'd,--I look'd demure,
And caught each Lover with a diff'rent Lure:
In frequent Wedlock join'd, was Woman still,
And bow'd subservient Husbands to my Will.
If Reason governs Man's superior Mind,
A ready Cunning prompts the Female Kind.
Then learn from me--So, Hymen bless your Lives,
Preserve the just Prerogative of Wives;
Know to command each Look, each Tear, each Smile,
With Eyes, and Face, and Tongue, and Heart beguile:
Ev'n he that loves in Search of Game to roam,
By feign'd Reprizals may be kept at Home.
When-ever Heav'n was pleas'd to take my Spouse,
I never pin'd on Thought of former Vows;
'Tis true, I sigh'd, I wept, I sobb'd at first.
And tore my Hair--as decent Widows--Must:
But soon another Husband dry'd mine Eyes;
My Life, my Dear!--Supply'd the Place of Sighs:
Amidst continual Love I've relish'd Life,
A forward Maid, and a triumphant Wife.
Then grant, O Cupid, this my latest Pray'r
If no kind Husband will relieve my Care;
Since Inclination yet out-lives my Face,
At least indulge me with a Coup de Grace
The Toil of Wedlock five Times bravely past,
You'll say, 'twas cruel to be baulk'd at last.
Grown old in Cupid's Camp--long vers'd in Arms,
I from my Youth have known the Pow'r of Charms:
Was I to single Combat ever slow?
Did I e'er turn my Back upon the Foe?
Is this the Way old Service is rewarded,
And must the joyless Widow be discarded?
Stint me not, Love--But while I yet survive,
Throw in another Comfort to the Five.
Bless me!--When I reflect on former Days!
Youth can make Conquests sev'ral thousand Ways;
I danc'd, I sung, I smil'd,--I look'd demure,
And caught each Lover with a diff'rent Lure:
In frequent Wedlock join'd, was Woman still,
And bow'd subservient Husbands to my Will.
If Reason governs Man's superior Mind,
A ready Cunning prompts the Female Kind.
Then learn from me--So, Hymen bless your Lives,
Preserve the just Prerogative of Wives;
Know to command each Look, each Tear, each Smile,
With Eyes, and Face, and Tongue, and Heart beguile:
Ev'n he that loves in Search of Game to roam,
By feign'd Reprizals may be kept at Home.
When-ever Heav'n was pleas'd to take my Spouse,
I never pin'd on Thought of former Vows;
'Tis true, I sigh'd, I wept, I sobb'd at first.
And tore my Hair--as decent Widows--Must:
But soon another Husband dry'd mine Eyes;
My Life, my Dear!--Supply'd the Place of Sighs:
Amidst continual Love I've relish'd Life,
A forward Maid, and a triumphant Wife.
Then grant, O Cupid, this my latest Pray'r
If no kind Husband will relieve my Care;
Since Inclination yet out-lives my Face,
At least indulge me with a Coup de Grace
Provenance
LION
Citation
First performed May 12, 1713. At least 3 entries in ESTC (1713, 1730).
The Wife of Bath. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, by Her Majesty's Servants. By Mr Gay (London: Printed for Bernard Lintott, 1713).
The Wife of Bath. A Comedy. As it is Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, by Her Majesty's Servants. By Mr Gay (London: Printed for Bernard Lintott, 1713).
Date of Entry
08/17/2013
