Thus have my Spouse and I inform'd the Nation, And led you all the way to Reformation; Not with dull Morals, gravely writ, like those Which men of easy Phlegme with care compose, Your Poets, of stiff Words and limber sense, Born on the confines of indifference: But by Examples drawn, I dare to say, From most of you who hear, and see the Play There are more @3Rhodophils@1 in this Theatre, More @3Palamedes@1, and some few Wives, I fear: But yet too far our Poet would not run; Though 'twas well offer'd, there was nothing done. He would not quite the Woman's frailty bare, But stript 'em to the waste, and left 'em there: And the men's faults are less severely shown, For he considers that himself is one. Some stabbing Wits, to bloudy Satyr bent, Would treat both Sexes with less complement: Would lay the Scene at home; of Husbands tell, For Wenches taking up their Wives i' th' Mell; And a brisk bout, which each of them did want, Made by mistake of Mistris and Gallant. Our modest Authour thought it was enough To cut you off a Sample of the stuff: He spared my shame, which you, I'm sure, would not, For you were all for driving on the Plot: You sigh'd when I came in to break the sport, And set your teeth when each design fell short. To Wives, and Servants all good wishes lend, But the poor Cuckold seldom finds a friend. Since therefore, Court and Town will take no pity, I humbly cast myself upon the City. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CA' THE YOWES TO THE KNOWES by ROBERT BURNS TO MY BOOKSELLER by BEN JONSON MARTHY VIRGINIA'S HAND [SEPTEMBER 17, 1862] by GEORGE PARSONS LATHROP PHILLIS'S AGE by MATTHEW PRIOR TO A SKYLARK (1) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH AN EARNEST SUIT [TO HIS UNKIND MISTRESS NOT TO FORESAKE HIM] by THOMAS WYATT |