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 @3Caesar@1 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 @3Presbyterian@1-Wives the @3means@1 wou'd try: But damn'd Confessing is flat Popery. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CAVE PAINTING by HAYDEN CARRUTH BATTLE OF BRITAIN by CECIL DAY LEWIS THE CHINESE LAUNDRYMAN by KAREN SWENSON ALAS! POOR QUEEN by MARION ANGUS ESCAPE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON SONNET: 30 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HOW GREY THE WORLD WAS by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT FIGHT! (HARVARD-DARTMOUTH FOOTBALL GAME, 1908) by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |