What is there in the vale of life
Half so delightful as a wife,
When friendship, love, read more

What is there in the vale of life
Half so delightful as a wife,
When friendship, love, and peace combine
To stamp the marriage-bond divine?

All married women are not wives

All married women are not wives

Oh! 'tis a precious thing, when wives are dead,
To find such numbers who will serve instead:
read more

Oh! 'tis a precious thing, when wives are dead,
To find such numbers who will serve instead:
And in whatever state a man be thrown,
'Tis that precisely they would wish their own.

When I think of a merry, happy, free young girl -- and look at the ailing, aching state a young read more

When I think of a merry, happy, free young girl -- and look at the ailing, aching state a young wife generally is doomed to -- which you can't deny is the penalty of marriage.

Without thee I am all unblessed,
And wholly blessed in thee alone.

Without thee I am all unblessed,
And wholly blessed in thee alone.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the
bread of idleness.

In every mess I find a friend,
In every port a wife.

In every mess I find a friend,
In every port a wife.

And while the wicket falls behind
Her steps, I thought if I could find
A wife I read more

And while the wicket falls behind
Her steps, I thought if I could find
A wife I need not blush to show
I've little further now to go.

It was a wife's duty to be interested in whatever interested her husband, whether it was politics, books, or a read more

It was a wife's duty to be interested in whatever interested her husband, whether it was politics, books, or a particular dish for dinner.