Classic Poem

On Old Maids being despised, and Thought unhappy.

And are Old Maids thought so forlorn?
Was Jephtha's Daughter so?
For to bemoan that wretched State,
She'd to the Mountains go.

What was the Cause? Her Father's Vow;
Which he did rashly make;
And she became a Sacrifice; —
A Husband ne'er to take.

But surely I'll contented be
To live a single Life;
If Providence has not ordain'd
That I should be a Wife.

I know I shall be laughed at,
And oft reproached be:
A saying 'tis, that Words are Wind,
So are these Sneers to me.

Since Marriage is the hardest scheme,
To execute in Life!
How is it Man takes no more Thought
In choosing him a Wife?

To have a Servant, or for Gold,
How many of them wed!
Their undertaking must be great,
Man's of his House the Head.

He an Account to God must give,
For all within his Gate;
But few, I fear, e'er think of this,
When Servants on them wait.

How common on the Sabbath Day,
To entertain their Guest;
Oh! think that Servants have got Souls;
This is a Day of rest.

Should not they rest from worldly Toil,
To seek for rest divine,
I often pity Servants much,
Who have but little Time.

Perhaps they know not God in Christ,
Tho' Snares do them surround,
I fear such Heads of Families
Are out of Duty found.

Can these obedience Servants have,
Yet warn them of no Crime,
Nor tell them there's a God to fear,
But rob him off their Time.

Few, very few, will mind, I fear,
The Truths I here have said —
You know not how you'd act, they cry,
If you your self were Wed.

I answer look into God's Word,
And that will plainly shew
Your Duty both to God and Man,
'Tis fit you should it know.