THE CHARMS of MELODY, SONG 71

I Have seriously weigh'd it, and find it but just, That a wife makes a man either blessed or curst. I declare I will marry, ah! can I but find, Mark me well, ye young lasses, the maid to my mind.

Not the pert little miss, who advice will despise, Nor the girl, who's so foolish to think herself wise, Nor she who to all men alike would prove kind, Not one of these three is the maid to my mind.

Not the prude, who in public will never be free, Yet in private a toying for ever would be, Nor coquette that's too forward, nor jilt that's unkind, No one of these three is the maid to my mind.

Nor she who for pleasure her husband will flight, Nor the positive dame, who thinks always she's right, Nor she, who a dupe to the fashion's inclin'd, Not one of these three is the maid to my mind.

But the fair with good nature and carriage genteel, Who her husband can love, and no secrets reveal, In whose breast I may virtue and modesty find, This, this, and this only's the maid to my mind.