Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MAIDENHEAD, by ABRAHAM COWLEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MAIDENHEAD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou worst estate even of the sex that's worst
Last Line: Within so hated, and so lov'd without.


1.

THou worst Estate even of the sex that's worst;
Therefore by Nature made at first,
T' attend the weakness of our birth!
Slight, outward Curtain to the Nuptiall Bed!
Thou Case to buildings not yet finished!
Who like the Center of the Earth,
Dost heaviest things attract to thee,
Though thou a point imaginary be.

2.

A thing God thought for Man-kind so unfit,
That his first Blessing ruin'd it.
Cold frozen Nurse of fiercest fires!
Who, like the parched plains of Africk's sand,
(A sterill, and a wild unlovely Land)
Art always scorcht with hot desires,
Yet barren quite, didst thou not bring
Monsters and Serpents forth thy selfe to sting!

3.

Thou that bewitchest men, whilst thou dost dwell
Like a close Conj'urer in his Cell!
And fear'st the daie's discovering Eye!
No wonder 'tis at all that thou shouldst be
Such tedious and unpleasant company,
Who liv'st so Melancholy!
Thou thing of subtle, slippery kind,
Which Women lose, and yet no Man can find.

4.

Although I think thou never found wilt be,
Yet I'me resolv'd to search for thee;
The search it selfe rewards the Pains.
So, though the Chymick his great secret misse,
(For neither it in Art nor Nature is)
Yet things well worth his toyle he gains:
And does his Charge and Labour pay
With good unsought exper'iments by the way.

5.

Say what thou wilt, Chastity is no more
Thee, then a Porter is his dore.
In vain to honour thy pretend,
Who guard themselves with Ramparts and with Walls,
Them only Fame the truly valiant calls
Who can an open breach defend.
Of thy quick losse can be no doubt,
Within so Hated, and so Lov'd without.




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