J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.
By Jenny Grahame (18th cent.)Wedlock
A
The sorrows which from wedlock flow:
Farewell, sweet hours of mirth and ease,
When you have gotten a wife to please.
Sae bide ye yet, and bide ye yet,
Ye little ken what ’s to betide ye yet,
The half o’ that will gane you yet
If a wayward wife obtain you yet.
Woe has not had you in its thrall;
The black cow on your foot ne’er trod,
Which makes you sing along the road.
I valued not the proudest she;
Like you my boast was bold and vain,
That men alone were born to reign.
Were stronger far than I or you,
Yet they were baffled by their dears,
And felt the distaff and the shears.
Are proof ’gainst swords and cannon-balls;
But nought is found, by sea or land,
That can a wayward wife withstand.