Ben Jonson. On Giles and Joan.

Ben Jonson

E P I G R A M S . XLII. — ON GILES AND JOAN. Who says that GILES and JOAN at discord be ? Th' observing neighbors no such mood can see. Indeed, poor Giles repents he married ever ; But that his Joan doth too. And Giles would never, By his free-will, be in Joan's company : No more would Joan he should. Giles riseth early, And having got him out of doors is glad ; The like is Joan : but turning home is sad ; And so is Joan. Oftimes when Giles doth find Harsh sights at home, Giles wisheth he were blind ; All this doth Joan : or that his long-yearn'd life Were quite out-spun ; the like wish hath his wife. The children that he keeps, Giles swears are none Of his getting ; and so swears his Joan. In all affections she concurreth still. If now, with man and wife, to will and nill The self-same things, a note of concord be : I know no couple better can agree !
Source: Jonson, Ben. The Works of Ben Jonson. Boston: Phillips, Sampson, and Co., 1853. 788.

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