Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A BOLD STROKE FOR A WIFE: PROLOGUE, by SUSANNA (FREEMAN) CENTLIVRE First Line: To-night we come upon a bold design Last Line: Keep english credit up, and english plays. Alternate Author Name(s): Carroll, Susanna | ||||||||
To-night we come upon a bold design, To try to please without one borrowed line: Our plot is new and regularly clear, And not one single tittle from Moliere. O'er buried poets we with caution tread, And parish sextons leave to rob the dead. For you, bright British fair, in hopes to charm ye, We bring to-night a lover from the army. You know the soldiers have the strangest arts, Such a proportion of prevailing parts, You'd think that they rid post to women's hearts. I wonder whence they draw their bold pretence; We do not choose them sure for our defence: That plea is both impolitic and wrong, And only suits such dames as want a tongue. Is it their eloquence and fine address? The softness of their language? -- Nothing less. Is it their courage, that they bravely dare To storm the sex at once? -- Egad! 'tis there: They act by us as in the rough campaign; Unmindful of repulses, charge again: They mine and countermine, resolv'd to win, And if a breach is made, they will come in. You'll think by what we have of soldiers said, Our female wit was in the service bred: But she is to the hardy toil a stranger; She loves the cloth, indeed, but hates the danger: Yet to this circle of the brave and gay She bids one, for her good intentions, say She hopes you'll not reduce her to half-pay. As for our Play, 'tis English humour all; Then will you let our manufacture fall? Would you the honour of our nation raise, Keep English credit up, and English plays. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BUCOLIC COMEDY: SERENADE by EDITH SITWELL TROY PARK: 1. THE WARMTH OF SPRING by EDITH SITWELL THE INNOVATOR by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET L.E.L.'S LAST QUESTION by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING ODE TO TOBACCO by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY MISS KILMANSEGG AND HER PRECIOUS LEG: HER MORAL by THOMAS HOOD THE USE OF FLOWERS by MARY HOWITT |
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