Relationships

On Giles and Joan

by Ben Jonson 1572-1637

From Epigrams (1616)

Relationships

Who says that Giles and Joan at discord be?
Th' observing neighbours no such mood can see.
Indeed, poor Giles repents he married ever;
But that his Joan doth too. And Giles would never,
By his free-will, be in Joan's company:
No more would Joan he should. Giles riseth early,
And having got him out of doors is glad;
The like is Joan: but turning home is sad;
And so is Joan. Oftimes when Giles doth find
Harsh sights at home, Giles wisheth he were blind;
All this doth Joan: or that his long-yearn'd life
Were quite out-spun; the like wish hath his wife.
The children that he keeps, Giles swears are none
Of his begetting; and so swears his Joan.
In all affections she concurreth still.
If now, with man and wife, to will and nill
The self-same things, a note of concord be,
I know no couple better can agree!

✦ ✦ ✦

Epigrams, no. 42.

MLA

Jonson, Ben. “On Giles and Joan.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/87/.

Chicago

Jonson, Ben. “On Giles and Joan.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/jonson/87/.

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