Variant ofll. 38–63:
“Would you believe it, Richard, that fair sheHas had three husbands? I repeat it,three!True, she has years beyond your reckoning seen,With distance and a window for their screen.But she has something that may still commandThe warm admirer, and the ready hand.Her fortune, too; yet there indeed I doubt;Since so much money has run in and out,’Tis hard to guess.—But there is this in her,That I to minds of stronger cast prefer.She may be made, with certainty and ease,To take what habits shall a husband please.Women will give up all their love of rule,Great as it is, if man be not a fool;They’re out of place, when they assume the sway,But feel it safe and easy to obey.Queens they have been, when men supply the means—But Heaven defend us from domestic queens!Now hear me, Richard; fairly I relate,The thrice devoted wife’s and widow’s fate;And you shall own, for I will fairly show,That men their misery to supineness owe,And that they could not of their fate complain,But that they govern with a slackened rein.”(O.M.)
“Would you believe it, Richard, that fair sheHas had three husbands? I repeat it,three!True, she has years beyond your reckoning seen,With distance and a window for their screen.But she has something that may still commandThe warm admirer, and the ready hand.Her fortune, too; yet there indeed I doubt;Since so much money has run in and out,’Tis hard to guess.—But there is this in her,That I to minds of stronger cast prefer.She may be made, with certainty and ease,To take what habits shall a husband please.Women will give up all their love of rule,Great as it is, if man be not a fool;They’re out of place, when they assume the sway,But feel it safe and easy to obey.Queens they have been, when men supply the means—But Heaven defend us from domestic queens!Now hear me, Richard; fairly I relate,The thrice devoted wife’s and widow’s fate;And you shall own, for I will fairly show,That men their misery to supineness owe,And that they could not of their fate complain,But that they govern with a slackened rein.”(O.M.)
“Would you believe it, Richard, that fair sheHas had three husbands? I repeat it,three!True, she has years beyond your reckoning seen,With distance and a window for their screen.But she has something that may still commandThe warm admirer, and the ready hand.Her fortune, too; yet there indeed I doubt;Since so much money has run in and out,’Tis hard to guess.—But there is this in her,That I to minds of stronger cast prefer.She may be made, with certainty and ease,To take what habits shall a husband please.Women will give up all their love of rule,Great as it is, if man be not a fool;They’re out of place, when they assume the sway,But feel it safe and easy to obey.Queens they have been, when men supply the means—But Heaven defend us from domestic queens!Now hear me, Richard; fairly I relate,The thrice devoted wife’s and widow’s fate;And you shall own, for I will fairly show,That men their misery to supineness owe,And that they could not of their fate complain,But that they govern with a slackened rein.”(O.M.)
“Would you believe it, Richard, that fair she
Has had three husbands? I repeat it,three!
True, she has years beyond your reckoning seen,
With distance and a window for their screen.
But she has something that may still command
The warm admirer, and the ready hand.
Her fortune, too; yet there indeed I doubt;
Since so much money has run in and out,
’Tis hard to guess.—But there is this in her,
That I to minds of stronger cast prefer.
She may be made, with certainty and ease,
To take what habits shall a husband please.
Women will give up all their love of rule,
Great as it is, if man be not a fool;
They’re out of place, when they assume the sway,
But feel it safe and easy to obey.
Queens they have been, when men supply the means—
But Heaven defend us from domestic queens!
Now hear me, Richard; fairly I relate,
The thrice devoted wife’s and widow’s fate;
And you shall own, for I will fairly show,
That men their misery to supineness owe,
And that they could not of their fate complain,
But that they govern with a slackened rein.”(O.M.)
instead ofll. 249–50:
“But, to prevent all babbling, there may beA bond and contract betwixt you and me.”(O.M.)
“But, to prevent all babbling, there may beA bond and contract betwixt you and me.”(O.M.)
“But, to prevent all babbling, there may beA bond and contract betwixt you and me.”(O.M.)
“But, to prevent all babbling, there may be
A bond and contract betwixt you and me.”(O.M.)
instead ofll. 255–6:
The bond was made; but he appear’d so fond,So kind and good, that she destroy’d the bond.(O.M.)
The bond was made; but he appear’d so fond,So kind and good, that she destroy’d the bond.(O.M.)
The bond was made; but he appear’d so fond,So kind and good, that she destroy’d the bond.(O.M.)
The bond was made; but he appear’d so fond,
So kind and good, that she destroy’d the bond.(O.M.)
instead ofll. 261–4:
The reading girl dismissed, the books she readNo longer visions caused, or fancies bred:The teacher gone, the lady took her place,And found she could instruct the infant race.(O.M.)
The reading girl dismissed, the books she readNo longer visions caused, or fancies bred:The teacher gone, the lady took her place,And found she could instruct the infant race.(O.M.)
The reading girl dismissed, the books she readNo longer visions caused, or fancies bred:The teacher gone, the lady took her place,And found she could instruct the infant race.(O.M.)
The reading girl dismissed, the books she read
No longer visions caused, or fancies bred:
The teacher gone, the lady took her place,
And found she could instruct the infant race.(O.M.)
variant ofll. 297–308:
He then would take a farm, and he would keep,As monied men are wont, a breed of sheep;He would attend at meetings and debate,}Would be a serious, useful magistrate,}Talk of his country’s rights, and think about the state.}Him should the poor esteem, his equals thank,}And he would class with men of certain rank,}Join in some firm, a partner in some bank—}He and his partner, Ronaldson and Co.—All this ambition saw: it must be so.Perhaps these children would require a lift,It was not right to turn them quite adrift.Of that hereafter—and he thought besideAbout the face and fortune of his bride.(O.M.)
He then would take a farm, and he would keep,As monied men are wont, a breed of sheep;He would attend at meetings and debate,}Would be a serious, useful magistrate,}Talk of his country’s rights, and think about the state.}Him should the poor esteem, his equals thank,}And he would class with men of certain rank,}Join in some firm, a partner in some bank—}He and his partner, Ronaldson and Co.—All this ambition saw: it must be so.Perhaps these children would require a lift,It was not right to turn them quite adrift.Of that hereafter—and he thought besideAbout the face and fortune of his bride.(O.M.)
He then would take a farm, and he would keep,As monied men are wont, a breed of sheep;He would attend at meetings and debate,}Would be a serious, useful magistrate,}Talk of his country’s rights, and think about the state.}Him should the poor esteem, his equals thank,}And he would class with men of certain rank,}Join in some firm, a partner in some bank—}He and his partner, Ronaldson and Co.—All this ambition saw: it must be so.Perhaps these children would require a lift,It was not right to turn them quite adrift.Of that hereafter—and he thought besideAbout the face and fortune of his bride.(O.M.)
He then would take a farm, and he would keep,
As monied men are wont, a breed of sheep;
He would attend at meetings and debate,}
Would be a serious, useful magistrate,}
Talk of his country’s rights, and think about the state.}
Him should the poor esteem, his equals thank,}
And he would class with men of certain rank,}
Join in some firm, a partner in some bank—}
He and his partner, Ronaldson and Co.—
All this ambition saw: it must be so.
Perhaps these children would require a lift,
It was not right to turn them quite adrift.
Of that hereafter—and he thought beside
About the face and fortune of his bride.(O.M.)
variant ofll. 313–20:
Young as he was, and planning favourite schemesFor future grandeur, wealth’s delirious dreams!He built a mansion in his mind, and oneThe country round should gaze with pride upon;But ere a stone was laid, or timber sawn,He to the narrow House of Death was drawn.(O.M.)
Young as he was, and planning favourite schemesFor future grandeur, wealth’s delirious dreams!He built a mansion in his mind, and oneThe country round should gaze with pride upon;But ere a stone was laid, or timber sawn,He to the narrow House of Death was drawn.(O.M.)
Young as he was, and planning favourite schemesFor future grandeur, wealth’s delirious dreams!He built a mansion in his mind, and oneThe country round should gaze with pride upon;But ere a stone was laid, or timber sawn,He to the narrow House of Death was drawn.(O.M.)
Young as he was, and planning favourite schemes
For future grandeur, wealth’s delirious dreams!
He built a mansion in his mind, and one
The country round should gaze with pride upon;
But ere a stone was laid, or timber sawn,
He to the narrow House of Death was drawn.(O.M.)
variant ofll. 411–26:
“It was a vast concern, and, when to thinkShe forced herself, she could not sleep a wink.‘Nothing,’ she wrote, ‘could for her loss atone;It was a wretched life to live alone:Yet, to be used unkindly, that was worseThan any evil, but an empty purse;And, as her own was not so poor a kind,What, in a change, could she expect to find?Not but a double fortune would produceA double pleasure—she confess’d the use.Yet at her time of life, what she desiredWere humble comforts—little she required.And yet ’twas true as any truth could be,None had less pleasure in the world than she.And then her children! he must surely knowWhat prudent mothers to their offspring owe;Not but a parent may restrain a child,Nay, may reject him, if he will be wild;But hers were good, and so they would remain;If not, alas! who should their wills restrain?’”(O.M.)
“It was a vast concern, and, when to thinkShe forced herself, she could not sleep a wink.‘Nothing,’ she wrote, ‘could for her loss atone;It was a wretched life to live alone:Yet, to be used unkindly, that was worseThan any evil, but an empty purse;And, as her own was not so poor a kind,What, in a change, could she expect to find?Not but a double fortune would produceA double pleasure—she confess’d the use.Yet at her time of life, what she desiredWere humble comforts—little she required.And yet ’twas true as any truth could be,None had less pleasure in the world than she.And then her children! he must surely knowWhat prudent mothers to their offspring owe;Not but a parent may restrain a child,Nay, may reject him, if he will be wild;But hers were good, and so they would remain;If not, alas! who should their wills restrain?’”(O.M.)
“It was a vast concern, and, when to thinkShe forced herself, she could not sleep a wink.‘Nothing,’ she wrote, ‘could for her loss atone;It was a wretched life to live alone:Yet, to be used unkindly, that was worseThan any evil, but an empty purse;And, as her own was not so poor a kind,What, in a change, could she expect to find?Not but a double fortune would produceA double pleasure—she confess’d the use.Yet at her time of life, what she desiredWere humble comforts—little she required.And yet ’twas true as any truth could be,None had less pleasure in the world than she.And then her children! he must surely knowWhat prudent mothers to their offspring owe;Not but a parent may restrain a child,Nay, may reject him, if he will be wild;But hers were good, and so they would remain;If not, alas! who should their wills restrain?’”(O.M.)
“It was a vast concern, and, when to think
She forced herself, she could not sleep a wink.
‘Nothing,’ she wrote, ‘could for her loss atone;
It was a wretched life to live alone:
Yet, to be used unkindly, that was worse
Than any evil, but an empty purse;
And, as her own was not so poor a kind,
What, in a change, could she expect to find?
Not but a double fortune would produce
A double pleasure—she confess’d the use.
Yet at her time of life, what she desired
Were humble comforts—little she required.
And yet ’twas true as any truth could be,
None had less pleasure in the world than she.
And then her children! he must surely know
What prudent mothers to their offspring owe;
Not but a parent may restrain a child,
Nay, may reject him, if he will be wild;
But hers were good, and so they would remain;
If not, alas! who should their wills restrain?’”(O.M.)
variant ofll. 499–508:
“Oh!” she cried, “stop, our means will never last;”For she had sad remembrance of the past.“Hence with all care!” the husband cried, “away!Him have I shunned, and hated day by day;Never would I his saucy frown allow,And shall I turn and meet the villain now?In all my wants, I found expedients new,And my last, best resource, my dear, in you.”(O.M.)
“Oh!” she cried, “stop, our means will never last;”For she had sad remembrance of the past.“Hence with all care!” the husband cried, “away!Him have I shunned, and hated day by day;Never would I his saucy frown allow,And shall I turn and meet the villain now?In all my wants, I found expedients new,And my last, best resource, my dear, in you.”(O.M.)
“Oh!” she cried, “stop, our means will never last;”For she had sad remembrance of the past.“Hence with all care!” the husband cried, “away!Him have I shunned, and hated day by day;Never would I his saucy frown allow,And shall I turn and meet the villain now?In all my wants, I found expedients new,And my last, best resource, my dear, in you.”(O.M.)
“Oh!” she cried, “stop, our means will never last;”
For she had sad remembrance of the past.
“Hence with all care!” the husband cried, “away!
Him have I shunned, and hated day by day;
Never would I his saucy frown allow,
And shall I turn and meet the villain now?
In all my wants, I found expedients new,
And my last, best resource, my dear, in you.”(O.M.)
afterl. 529:
These graceful weeds will soon be laid aside;Exchanged for all the glories of a bride.There all is chance! for she is form’d to takeThe guiding hand, but not a guide to make.As men of skill the ductile clay command,And warm and soften for the plastic hand,Till, in each well-form’d feature of the face,He can the work of his creation trace,So may the future husband here surveyThe mind he models—if he wills, he may.Women, dear Richard, born to be controlled,Yet love the ensign of the power to hold,And would the power itself—but, this deny,And they with meek, well-order’d minds comply;Tyrants, no doubt, if you resign the sway—If you retain it, willing to obey.(O.M.)
These graceful weeds will soon be laid aside;Exchanged for all the glories of a bride.There all is chance! for she is form’d to takeThe guiding hand, but not a guide to make.As men of skill the ductile clay command,And warm and soften for the plastic hand,Till, in each well-form’d feature of the face,He can the work of his creation trace,So may the future husband here surveyThe mind he models—if he wills, he may.Women, dear Richard, born to be controlled,Yet love the ensign of the power to hold,And would the power itself—but, this deny,And they with meek, well-order’d minds comply;Tyrants, no doubt, if you resign the sway—If you retain it, willing to obey.(O.M.)
These graceful weeds will soon be laid aside;Exchanged for all the glories of a bride.There all is chance! for she is form’d to takeThe guiding hand, but not a guide to make.As men of skill the ductile clay command,And warm and soften for the plastic hand,Till, in each well-form’d feature of the face,He can the work of his creation trace,So may the future husband here surveyThe mind he models—if he wills, he may.Women, dear Richard, born to be controlled,Yet love the ensign of the power to hold,And would the power itself—but, this deny,And they with meek, well-order’d minds comply;Tyrants, no doubt, if you resign the sway—If you retain it, willing to obey.(O.M.)
These graceful weeds will soon be laid aside;
Exchanged for all the glories of a bride.
There all is chance! for she is form’d to take
The guiding hand, but not a guide to make.
As men of skill the ductile clay command,
And warm and soften for the plastic hand,
Till, in each well-form’d feature of the face,
He can the work of his creation trace,
So may the future husband here survey
The mind he models—if he wills, he may.
Women, dear Richard, born to be controlled,
Yet love the ensign of the power to hold,
And would the power itself—but, this deny,
And they with meek, well-order’d minds comply;
Tyrants, no doubt, if you resign the sway—
If you retain it, willing to obey.(O.M.)