O had her eyes forgot to blaze! Or Jack had wanted eyes to gaze. O! But let exclamation cease, presence banish'd all his peace. Her So with decorum all things carried, Miss frown'd, and blush'd, and then was married. Need we expose to vulgar sight The raptures of the bridal night? Need we intrude on hallow'd ground, Or draw the curtains clos'd around? Let it suffice, that each had charms; He clasp'd a goddess in his arms; And, though she felt his usage rough, Yet in a man 'twas well enough. The honey-moon like lightning flew, Skill'd in no other arts was she, But dressing, patching, repartee; And, just as humour rose or fell, By turns a slattern or a belle; "Tis true she dress'd with modern grace, But when at home, at board or bed, In short, by night, 'twas fits or fretting; And twenty other near relations; Jack suck'd his pipe, and often broke A sigh in suffocating smoke; While all their hours were pass'd between Insulting repartee or spleen. Thus as her faults each day were known, He thinks her features coarser grown; He fancies every vice she shews, Or thins her lip, or points her nose: Whenever rage or envy rise, How wide her mouth, how wild her eyes; He knows not how, but so it is, Her face is grown a knowing phyz; And, though her fops are wondrous civil, He thinks her ugly as the devil. Now, to perplex the ravell'd noose, As each a different way pursues, While sullen or loquacious strife Promis'd to hold them on for life, That dire disease, whose ruthless power Withers the beauty's transient flower: Lo! the small pox, whose horrid glare Levell'd its terrors at the fair; And, rifling every youthful grace, Left but the remnant of a face. The glass, grown hateful to her sight, Reflected now a perfect fright: Each former art she vainly tries Poor madam now condemn'd to hack The rest of life with anxious Jack, Perceiving others fairly flown, Attempted pleasing him alone. Jack soon was dazzled to behold Her present face surpass the old : With modesty her cheeks are dyed, For taudry finery is seen A NEW SIMILE IN THE MANNER OF SWIFT. LONG had I sought in vain to find Imprimis, pray observe his hat, Wings upon either side-mark that. |