Stanzas To the memory of an agreeable Lady, buried in marriage to a person undeserving her

'TWAS always held, and ever will,
By sage mankind, discreeter
T' anticipate a lesser ill
Than undergo a greater.

When mortals dread diseases, pain,
And languishing conditions,
Who don't the lesser ills sustain
Of physic—and physicians?

Rather than lose his whole estate,
He that but little wise is,
Full gladly pays four parts in eight
To taxes and excises.

Our merchants Spain has near undone
For lost ships not requiting;
This bears our noble K—, to shun
The loss of blood—in fighting!

With num'rous ills, in single life,
The bachelor's attended;
Such to avoid he takes a wife—
And much the case is mended!

Poor Gratia, in her twentieth year,
Foreseeing future woe,
Chose to attend a monkey here
Before an ape below.