Merry and Wise:
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COME hither my dutiful son,
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And take this good counsel of me,
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All follies endeavour to shun,
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That you so may prosperous be,
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In all the affairs of your life,
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That so you to riches may rise,
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Also in chusing of a wife,
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It is good to be merry and wise.
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Chuse not for a great many pence,
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Among the fine, gaudy and gay,
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For a woman well furnishd with sense,
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Is fifty times better than they.
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Here is one in her insolent pride,
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Perhaps in your calling despise,
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When the other will draw by your side,
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Tis good to be merry and wise.
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Be sure you draw both in a yoke,
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One hand, one heart and one purse,
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Each other pray never provoke,
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Lest your blessing should turn to a curse
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Be careful and kind to thy wife,
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And be not too soon disguisd,
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Be sober and lead a good life,
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It is good to be merry and wise.
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Some men they nothing will save,
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Like ragged extravagant elves,
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And it is their desire to have,
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Their neighbours as poor as themselves.
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Be careful and value them not,
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To ruin theyll fall while you rise,
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There is a good name to be got,
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For those that are merry and wise.
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Some men they scorn and deride
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Good men of industrious care,
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That do by their labour provide,
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Both food and apparel to wear,
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They strive by their malice and spleen,
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Like ragged wolves in disguise,
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We very well know what you mean,
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It is good to be merry and wise.
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I have been a father to you,
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And so I will be to your wife,
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Nothing shall be wanting of me,
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To the longest day of my life.
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If you will mend what is amiss
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And not my good counsel despise,
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Then I will conclude all with this,
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Dear son youll be merry and wise.
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