wife

In Shakespeare's play Othello fiercely demands to see a handkerchief

which he has given his wife, and takes her inability to show it to him

as a proof of her infidelity.

Well, if our author in the wife offends,

He has a husband that will make amends;

Ah, quit not the free innocence of life,

For the dull glory of a virtuous wife;

Nor let false shows, or empty titles please:

Bid her be all that cheers or softens life,

The tender sister, daughter, friend, and wife:

Bid her be all that makes mankind adore;

But wherefore all this labour, all this strife?

For fame, for riches, for a noble wife?

Shall one whom nature, learning, birth, conspired

Restore, restore Eurydice to life:

Oh take the husband, or return the wife!'

He sung, and hell consented

3 Such flames as high in patriots burn,

Yet stoop to bless a child or wife;

And such as wicked kings may mourn,

With rhymes of this per cent, and that per year?

Or court a wife, spread out his wily parts,

Like nets or lime-twigs, for rich widows' hearts: