ABROAD AND AT HOME.
As Thomas was cudgel’d one day by his wife.
He took to street, and fled for his life;
Tom’s thee dearest, friends came by in the squabble,
As Thomas was cudgel’d one day by his wife.
He took to street, and fled for his life;
Tom’s thee dearest, friends came by in the squabble,
And sav’d him at once from the shrew and the rabble;
Then ventur’d to give him some sober advice;
But Tom is a person of honour so nice.
Too wise to take counsel, too proud to take warning.
That he sent to all three a challenge next morning;
Three duels he fought, thrice ventur’d his life;
When home, and was cudgel’d again by his wife.
(Jonathan Swift)
С женою у Томаса частые споры.
Однажды из дома сбежал он от ссоры.
Друзья поджидали на улице Тома
И выгнать жену предложили из дома.
Но Томом отвергнут, был добрый совет —
Как должно избавиться сразу от бед.
Он горд был, и очень к тому же раним.
И он поединок назначил троим.
А утром троих уложил наповал.
С женой помирился, скандал миновал.
(Джонатан Свифт)
Юджин Стэпук © 07.04.2013
