Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/88

48 4.

His religion to please neither party is made;

On husbands 'tis hard, to the wives most uncivil;

Still I can't contradict, what so oft has been said,

"Though women are angels, yet wedlock's the devil."

5.

This terrible truth, even Scripture has told,

Ye Benedicks! hear me, and listen with rapture;

If a glimpse of redemption you wish to behold,

Of .—read the second and twentieth chapter.

6.

'Tis surely enough upon earth to be vex'd,

With wives who eternal confusion are spreading;

"But in Heaven" (so runs the Evangelists' Text)

"We neither have giving in marriage, or wedding."

7.

From this we suppose, (as indeed well we may,)

That should Saints after death, with their spouses put up more,

And wives, as in life, aim at absolute sway,

All Heaven would ring with the conjugal uproar.

8.

Distraction and Discord would follow in course,

Nor, nor , nor , can deny it,