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THE POETESS'S HASTY RESOLUTION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Reading my verses, I liked them so well
Last Line: Wipe off my teares with handkerchiefes of praise.
Alternate Author Name(s): Newcastle, Duchess Of; Lucas, Margaret
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


Reading my Verses, I like't them so well,
Selfe-love did make my Judgement to rebell.
Thinking them so good, I thought more to write;
Considering not how others would them like.
I writ so fast, I thought, if I liv'd long,
A Pyramid of Fame to build thereon.
Reason observing which way I was bent,
Did stay my hand, and ask't me what I meant;
Will you, said shee, thus waste your time in vaine,
On that which in the World small praise shall gaine?
For shame leave off, sayd shee, the Printer spare,
Hee'le loose by your ill Poetry, I feare
Besides the World hath already such a weight
Of uselesse Bookes, as it is over fraught.
Then pitty take, doe the World a good turne,
And all you write cast in the fire, and burne.
Angry I was, and Reason strook away,
When I did heare, what shee to me did say.
Then all in haste I to the Presse it sent,
Fearing Perswasion might my Book prevent:
But now 'tis done, with greife repent doe I,
Hang down my head with shame, blush, sigh, and cry.
Take pitty, and my drooping Spirits raise,
Wipe off my teares with Handkerchiefes of Praise.





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