The Henpecked Husband

written in 1788

Curs'd be the man, the poorest wretch in life, The crouching vassal to a tyrant wife, Who has no will but by her high permission; Who has not sixpence but in her possession; Who must to her, his dear friend's secret tell; Who dreads a curtain-lecture worse than hell. Were such the wife had fallen to my part, I'd break her spirit, or I'd break her heart; I'd charm her with the magic of a switch, I'd kiss her maids, and kick the perverse bitch.