Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPILOGUE TO 'THE PRINCESS OF CLEVES', by JOHN DRYDEN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPILOGUE TO 'THE PRINCESS OF CLEVES', by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A qualm of conscience brings me back agen
Last Line: But damn'd confessing is flat popery.
Subject(s): Love; Women


A Qualm of Conscience brings me back agen,
To make amends to you bespatter'd Men.
We Women love like Cats, that hide their Joys
By growling, squaling, and a hideous Noise.
I rail'd at wild young Sparks; but without lying,
Never was Man worse thought on for highflying.
The Prodigal of Love gives each her Part,
And Squandring showsat leastanoble Heart.
I've heard of Men, who, in some lewd Lampoon,
Have hir'd a Friend to make their Valour known.
That Accusation straight this Question brings,
What is the Man that does such naughty things?
The Spaniel Lover, like a sneaking Fop,
Lies at our Feet; he's scarce worth taking up,
Tis true, such Heroes in a Play go far;
But Chamber Practice is not like the Bar.
When Men such vile, such feint Petitions make,
We fear to give, because they fear to take;
Since Modesty's the Virtue of our Kind,
Pray let it be to our own Sex confin'd.
When Men usurp it from the Female Nation,
'Tis but a Work of Supererogation ----
We show'd a Princess in the Play, 'tis true,
Who gave her Caesar more than all his due;
Told her own Faults; but I shou'd much abhor
To choose a Husband for my Confessor.
You see what Fate follow'd the Saint-like Fool,
For telling Tales from out the Nuptial School.
Our Play a merry Comedy had prov'd,
Had she confess'd as much to him she lov'd.
True Presbyterian-Wives the means wou'd try:
But damn'd Confessing is flat Popery.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net