Two Blanks to a Prize

In the lott'ry of life, lest dame Fortune beguile, This great truth we should ever premise, That altho' the bright goddess may simper and smile, She has always—two blanks to a prize.

If a husband you'd take, miss—or you, sir, a wife, From this maxim divert not your eyes; For of one and the other, I'll venture my life, There are more than—two blanks to a prize!

If in law you're entangled, why then, silly man, As a friend, give me leave to advise; Slip your neck from the collar, as fast as you can, There are fifty—two blanks to a prize!

And if, for preferment you're striving at court, Or by merit expect you shall rise; Then your chance is not worth, sir, three-fourths of a groat, There are ninety—two blanks to a prize!