Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/459



WELCOME, thrice welcome to thy native place! — What, touch me not? what, shun a wife's embrace? Have I for this thy tedious absence born, And wak'd, and wish'd whole nights for thy return? In five long years I took no second spouse; What Redriff wife so long hath kept her vows? Your eyes, your nose, inconstancy betray; Your nose you stop, your eyes you turn away. 'Tis said, that thou should'st "cleave unto thy wife;" Once thou didst cleave, and I could cleave for life. Hear, and relent! hark, how thy children moan! Be kind at least to these: they are thy own: Be bold, and count them all; secure to find The honest number that you left behind. See how they pat thee with their pretty paws: Why start you? are they snakes? or have they claws? Thy christian seed, our mutual flesh and bone: Be kind at least to these; they are thy own. Rh