Classic Poem

To make the wife kind, and to keep the house still

To make the wife kind, and to keep the house still,
You must be of her mind, let her say what she will;
In all that she does you must give her her way,
For tell her she's wrong, and you lead her astray.


CHORUS

Then husbands! take care, of suspicion beware,
Your wives may be true if you fancy they are;
With confidence trust them, and be not such elves
As to make, by your jealousy, horns for yourselves.

Abroad all the day if she chooses to roam,
Seem pleas'd with her absence, she'll sigh to come home;
The man she likes best, and longs most to get at,
Be sure to commend, and she'll hate him for that,


CHORUS

Then husbands! &c.

What virtues she has you may safely oppose;
Whatever her follies are, praise her for those:
Applaud all her schemes that she lays for a man,
For accuse her of vice, and she'll sin if she can.


CHORUS

Then husbands! take care, of suspicion beware,
Your wives may be true if you fancy they are;
With confidence trust them, and be not such elves
As to make, by your jealousy, horns for yourselves.English