Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPILOGUE TO 'THE PRINCESS OF CLEVES', by JOHN DRYDEN 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...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV A SONG FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY by JOHN DRYDEN A SONG TO A FAIR YOUNG LADY GOING OUT OF TOWN IN THE SPRING by JOHN DRYDEN |
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