Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPILOGUE TO MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS; SPOKEN BY MRS. OLDFIELD, by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU Poet's Biography First Line: What could luxurious woman wish for more Last Line: Secure your hearts -- then fool with whom you will. Alternate Author Name(s): Montagu, Mary Wortley; Pierrepont, Mary Subject(s): Mary, Queen Of Scots (1542-1587); Oldfield, Anne (1683-1730); Mary Stuart | ||||||||
What could luxurious woman wish for more, To fix her joys, or to extend her pow'r? Their every wish was in this Mary seen, Gay, witty, youthful, beauteous, and a queen. Vain, useless blessings with ill-conduct join'd! Light as the air, and fleeting as the wind. Whatever poets write, and lovers vow, Beauty, what poor omnipotence hast thou! Queen Bess had wisdom, council, power, and laws; How few espous'd a wretched beauty's cause! Learn thence, ye fair, more solid charms to prize; Contemn the idle flatt'rers of your eyes. The brightest object shines but while 'tis new: That influence lessens by familiar view. Monarchs and beauties rule with equal sway, All strive to serve, and glory to obey; Alike unpitied when depos'd they grow -- Men mock the idol of their former vow. Two great examples have been shown today, To what sure ruin passion does betray; What long repentance to short joys is due; When reason rules, what glory must ensue. If you will love, love like Eliza then; Love for amusement, like those traitors, men. Think that the pastime of a leisure hour She favour'd oft -- but never shar'd her pow'r . The traveller by desert wolves pursu'd, If by his heart the savage foe's subdued, The world will still the noble act applaud, Though victory was gain'd by needful fraud. Such is, my tender sex, our helpless case; And such the barbarous heart, hid by the begging face; By passion fir'd, and not withheld by shame, They cruel hunters are, we trembling game. Trust me, dear ladies (For I know 'em well), They burn to triumph, and they sigh to tell: Cruel to them that yield, cullies to them that sell. Believe me, 'tis by far the wiser course, Superior art should meet superior force: Hear, but be faithful to your int'rest still: Secure your hearts -- then fool with whom you will. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ALAS! POOR QUEEN by MARION ANGUS MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS by HENRY GLASSFORD BELL THE DAUGHTER OF DEBATE by ELIZABETH I THE TRAGIC MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS: 1 by KATHERINE HARRIS BRADLEY LAMENT OF MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, ON THE APPROACH OF SPRING by ROBERT BURNS QUEEN MARY AT FOTHERINGAY by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR ON LOCH LEVEN by CHRISTIAN CARSTAIRS ON THE EXECUTION OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS by LUCRETIA MARIA DAVIDSON A RECEIPT TO CURE THE VAPOURS by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU EPITAPH by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU SIX TOWN ECLOGUES: SATURDAY; THE SMALL-POX by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU |
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