A BEAUTIFUL WIFE
(A Talmudic Legend)
“Oh Rabbi, my Rabbi! My life is not fairBut homely, misshapen and sere!The taunts of my neighbors no more I can bear,They whisper and mock me and jeer.The Holy Books say that the husband whose wifeIs beautiful doubles his days,Then surely shall I live but half of my life,For merciless ridicule slays.”
"Go home, my son, and I will prayThis night with all my pious care,That ere there break another day,Thy wife be fairest of the fair."And thus it came to pass.
“Oh Rabbi, my Rabbi! My wife she is fair, But idle and haughty and vain, She decks out her form and perfumes her long hair, ‘More bitter than Death,’ so King Solomon said, ‘Is an evil and insolent wife,’ The children neglected, in vain cry for bread, My home is the dwelling of strife.” And stops but to do it again.
“Go home, my son, and I will prayThat God thy peace and wife restore,That ere there break another dayThy wife be homely as before.”And thus it came to pass.