THE DREAM

One night as I lay down to rest, no care or trouble on my breast,
I thought the man is surely blessed, that leads a single life,
So warm and snug beneath the clothes, I sought for calm and blessed repose,
But fell into a troubles doze, I dreamt I had a wife.
I dreamt that she was fair and sweet, in face and form, she was complete,
A nicer girl you wouldn’t meet, perhaps in all your life.
And I was happy as could be, while friends congratulated me
And neighbour’s wives called in to see my fair and handsome girl    wife.
The scene is changed, a year rolls past, a woman’s tongue grows hard and fast
I rush from out the house at last, from all the din and strife.
A friend of mine is passing by said, “ Why old man, what makes you cry ? “
I answered sadly with a sigh “ ‘Tis that infernal wife.”
Said he, “ I’m sorry friend to state, you must resign yourself to fate,
I know myself, alas , too late, the woes of married life,
When once to scold they do begin, your life is one unceasing din,
Since Eve lead Adam into sin, there’s badness in a wife.”
At last beneath the hateful yoke, my tortured heart had almost broke,
When with a shudder I awoke, still blessed by single life,
I saw the sunlight’s goldengbeam, across my face it’s rays did beam,
I thanked my stars ‘twas but a dream – I hadn’t got  wife, …