Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1880-01-28
For the Smyrna Times.
ADVICE TO A MAID.

Better live till you're gray,
Than become a sad prey,
To the man you cant love:
Better die an old maid.
Than slave to be made,
Or an imprisun Il dove.
To get married is well,
If its not a bad sell,
As it too often is:
4 mere Joy of the morn.
With fond pleasures unborn,
Or which end in iizz
Better lock up your heart.
And not let ii depart
From your own bosom dear
Mess you can give il,
To one who deserves il.
Without any fear.
Don't weary in waiting,
And don't be a batting,
The hook for man:
II often proves true,
He'll have nothing to do
With the hook or the pan.
There is luck i'll leisure,
1t may bring Il treasure.
That's worthy to have;
If il docs not do this.
It's far better to miss
The arrow or grave.
TO be tied to q man,
To be under the ban.
And no hope of release.
Is a poisoned bowl,
\ sharp thorn in the soul,
Anguish never 10 cease.
Then be patient and wait
BE resigned to your fate
To be married. or no;
If there's man for you.
He'll come in time due.
\ bright buXOm beauX.
If he don't come at all,
Don't put on pail.
And weep out your eyes;
Be true woman still.
And your mission fulfil.
BE heroic and wise.
Let your thoughts be above
Where as angels they love,
not as bridegroom and bride:
Where they marry no more.
Never stand on the floor.
TO have the knot tied.
Don't you long for a man,
Bot endure if yCu can,
If enc don't come along:
You'll have none at your heel.
Like an ugly dell,
To put tears in Your song.
This advice Of priest.
Like the rising of yeast
ltaS sprung up in his mind
He gives ii for nothing.
1t may he worth something
ASyolll hereafter find
lie has married many.
With riches. nor any,
And life thus begun,
That ought to've been Jolly,
Has proved perfect folly,
TO be never undonc.
If the knots he has tied.
Between bridegroom and bride,
Nouid all slip or wOuld tGrc.
Very many he's sure,
Single life wOG!d endure.
Than be CuugHt in the snare.
honor the woman.
That will not be woven
With unequal yarn:
OF such there j. plenty,
Mong what are called gentry.
And not worth Il darn
That will not be giving.
with uncertain living.
Her heart to q saint,
with no avOcatiun.
No fixed occupation.
Oi choice, or conStraint--
That won't marry beneath her.
Ii none is found better,
To offer his hand:
Degrading her nature,
In every fine feature,
Life wrecked on u strand.
In these days Of dclusion.
Mixed up IN confusion.
It's well to so single,
As It's to go double,
And venture on trouble
Earring and jingle.
The birds that are treasures.
When stript of their feathers.
Are hard to be found:
Most are not worth the game,
OF good honest dame,
Nj plumage and sound.
Don't dispiSe the term "old,"
If a thousand times told:
though the Sutlix be maid"
You have Paul on yOurside.
II you nc'er be a bride,
1t Is better he said.
Then, dear maid, be content.
Let your life be well spent
whatever your fate;
BE it yoked with a man,
On the marriage plan,
or be free from mate.
The best often are left,
To take care of bereft,
or their friends and estate:
TO be useful to others.
To sisters. and brothers,
TO serve and to wait
Then at last with the blest,
safe at home, and at rest,
With names written in heaven.
Their work on earth ended.
Well DONE" and commended.
The crown will be given.
HIEREU