Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO THE LADIES, by MARY LEE CHUDLEIGH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO THE LADIES, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Wife and servant are the same
Last Line: You must be proud, if you'll be wise.
Subject(s): Marriage; Women's Rights; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Feminism


Wife and servant are the same,,
But only differ in the name:
For when that fatal knot is tied,
Which nothing, nothing, can divide,
When she the word obey has said,
And man by supreme has made,
Then all that's kind is laid aside,
And nothing left but state and pride:
Fierce as an Eastern prince he grows,
And all his innate rigour shows:
Then but to look, to laugh, or speak,
With the nuptial contract break.
Like mutes, she signs alone must make,
And never any freedom take;
But still be govern'd by a nod,
And fear her husband as her god;
Him still must serve, him still obey,
And nothing act and nothing say,
But when her haughty lord thinks fit,
Who with the power has all the writ.
Then shun, oh! shun that wretched state,
And all the fawning flatterers hate:
Value yourselves, and men despise:
You must be proud, if you'll be wise.





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