Sonnet. To The Same.

SONNET.

TO THE SAME.

BY THE SAME.

"WITH prudence choose a wife" — Be thy first care Her Virtue, not confin'd to time or place, Or worn for shew; but on Religion's base Well-founded, easy, free, and debonair:

Next rose-cheek'd Modesty, beyond compare The best cosmetic of the Virgin's face; Neatness, which doubles every female grace; And Temper mild, thy joys and griefs to share;

Beauty in true proportion rather choose Than colour, fit to grace thy social board, Chear thy chaste bed, and honest offspring rear; With these seek Prudence well to guide thy house, Untainted Birth, and, if thy state afford, Do not, when such the prize, for Fortune square.