Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

The BACHELOR's WISH

Beauteous face let others prize.
I seek the features of the fair;
I look for spirit in her eyes,
And meaning in her air.
What though the form quite sweet and mild,
With colour fresh as morn,
An innocent and harmless child,
As ever yet was born!
This will not kindle my desire,
Or make me wish to wed,
Let ignorance thus quench the fire
Which wild youth would have fed.
The charming puppet may pass by,
Or gently talk and smile;
It will not hurt my peace; for I
Have ears as well as eyes.
I want to know the inward state
And temper of her mind;
If she will frown, or rage, or fret,
Be gentle, or unkind:
If her discourse is calm and staid,
And judgment rule her life:
No beauty may charm us in a maid,
But never in a wife.
I like to see a female friend,
Who looks as if she thought;
Who on her household will attend,
And do the thing she ought.
A just plainness in her dress;
Kitchen and servants clean;
Provision neither in excess,
Nor scandalously mean.
Oh! could I such a female find,
Such treasure in a wife,
I'd pass my days to peace resign'd,
Nor fear the ills of life.