I aim, in all her freaks, my wife to please;

I wage domestic war, in hopes of ease.

I vain the hopes! and my fond bosom bleeds,

To feel how soon to peace mad strife succeeds:

To find, with servants jarring, or my wife,

The worst of lawsuits is a married life.

Johannes Audœmus
TO A FRIEND IN DISTRESS

I wish thy lot, now bad, still worse, my friend;

For when at worst, they say, things always mend.

ADVICE TO PONTICUS