Wife and Servant are the
same,
But only differ in the Name:
For when that fatal Knot is ty'd,
Which nothing, nothing can
divide:
When she
the word
obey has said,
[5]
And Man by Law supreme has made,
Then all that's kind is laid
aside,
And nothing left but
State and Pride:
Fierce as an Eastern Prince he
grows,
And all his innate Rigor shows:
[10]
Then but to look, to laugh, or
speak,
Will the Nuptial Contract break.
Like Mutes she Signs alone must
make,
And never any Freedom take:
But still be govern'd by a Nod,
[15]
And fear her Husband as her God:
Him still must serve, him still
obey,
And nothing act, and nothing
say,
But what her haughty Lord thinks
fit,
Who with the Pow'r, has all the
Wit.
[20]
Then shun, oh! shun that
wretched State,
And all the fawning Flatt'rers
hate:
Value your selves, and Men
despise,
You must be proud, if you'll be
wise.
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