Specimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets, Volume 3 by Gilfillan, George, 1813-1878

12 For men like him they were of like consort, Thilk much the honest muse must needs condemn, Who made of women's wiles their wanton sport, And blessed their stars that kept the curse from them! No honest love they knew, no melting smile That shoots the transports to the throbbing heart! Thilk knew they not but in a harlot's guile Lascivious smiling through the mask of art: And so of women deemed they as they knew, And from a Demon's traits an Angel's picture drew.

13 But most abhorred they hymeneal rites, And boasted oft the freedom of their fate: Nor 'vailed, as they opined, its best delights Those ills to balance that on wedlock wait; And often would they tell of henpecked fool Snubbed by the hard behest of sour-eyed dame. And vowed no tongue-armed woman's freakish rule Their mirth should quail, or damp their generous flame: Then pledged their hands, and tossed their bumpers o'er, And Io! Bacchus! sung, and owned no other power.

14 If e'er a doubt of softer kind arose Within some breast of less obdurate frame, Lo! where its hideous form a phantom shows Full in his view, and Cuckold is its name. Him Scorn attended with a glance askew, And Scorpion Shame for delicts not his own, Her painted bubbles while Suspicion blew, And vexed the region round the Cupid's throne: 'Far be from us,' they cried, 'the treacherous bane, Far be the dimply guile, and far the flowery chain!'

CARELESS CONTENT.

1 I am content, I do not care, Wag as it will the world for me; When fuss and fret was all my fare, It got no ground as I could see: So when away my caring went, I counted cost, and was content.

2 With more of thanks and less of thought, I strive to make my matters meet; To seek what ancient sages sought, Physic and food in sour and sweet: To take what passes in good part, And keep the hiccups from the heart.

3 With good and gentle-humoured hearts, I choose to chat where'er I come, Whate'er the subject be that starts; But if I get among the glum, I hold my tongue to tell the truth, And keep my breath to cool my broth.

4 For chance or change of peace or pain, For Fortune's favour or her frown, For lack or glut, for loss or gain, I never dodge, nor up nor down: But swing what way the ship shall swim, Or tack about with equal trim.

5 I suit not where I shall not speed, Nor trace the turn of every tide; If simple sense will not succeed, I make no bustling, but abide: For shining wealth, or scaring woe, I force no friend, I fear no foe.

6 Of ups and downs, of ins and outs, Of they're i' the wrong, and we're i' the right, I shun the rancours and the routs; And wishing well to every wight, Whatever turn the matter takes, I deem it all but ducks and drakes.