TESTO DEL LIED

"How happy's the husband"
di William Congreve (1670-1729)

How happy's the Husband, whose Wife has been try'd!
Not Damn'd to the Bed of an Ignorant Bride?
Secure of what's left, he ne're misses the rest,
But where there's enough, supposes a Feast;
So foreknowing the Cheat,
He escapes the Deceit,
And in spite of the Curse, resolves to be Blest.
If Children are Blessings, his Comfort's the more,
Whose Spouse has been known to be Fruitful before;
And the Boy that she brings ready made to his Hand,
May stand him instead, for an Heir to his Land,
Shou'd his own prove a Sot,
When he's Lawfully Got,
As when e're 'tis so, if he don't, I'le be hang'd.