John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Aaron Hill 1685-1750 John Bartlett
| 1 |
| First, then, a woman will or won’t, depend on ’t; If she will do ’t, she will; and there ’s an end on ’t. But if she won’t, since safe and sound your trust is, Fear is affront, and jealousy injustice. 1 |
| Zara. Epilogue. |
| 2 |
| Tender-handed stroke a nettle, And it stings you for your pains; Grasp it like a man of mettle, And it soft as silk remains. ’T is the same with common natures: Use ’em kindly, they rebel; But be rough as nutmeg-graters, And the rogues obey you well. |
| Verses written on a window in Scotland. |
| Note 1. The following lines are copied from the pillar erected on the mount in the Dane John Field, Canterbury:— Where is the man who has the power and skill To stem the torrent of a woman’s will? For if she will, she will, you may depend on ’t; And if she won’t, she won’t; so there ’s an end on ’t. The Examiner, May 31, 1829. [back] |