A Song

As Chloe fair, a new-made bride,
Sat knotting in an arbour,
To Colin now the damsel ty'd,
No strange affection harbour.

"How poor," says she, "'s a single life,
A maid's affected carriage;
Spent in sighs and inward strife,
Things unknown in marriage.

"Virgins vainly say they're free,
None so much confin'd are;
Lovers kind and good may be,
Husbands may be kinder.

"Then shun not wedlock's happy chain,
Nor wantonly still fly man;
A single life is care and pain,
Blessings wait on Hymen."