Poems, chiefly pastoral By John Cunningham. The second edition. With the Addition of several pastorals and other pieces |
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 | Poems, chiefly pastoral |  |
231
A PETITION
To the Worshipful Free Masons, delivered from the Stage, by a Lady, at a Comedy countenanced by that Fraternity.
Brothers!—'tis bold to interrupt your meeting,
But from the female world I wait you—greeting:
[Curtsies.
But from the female world I wait you—greeting:
The ladies can advance a thousand reasons,
That make them hope to be received as Masons:
To keep a secret,—not one hint expressing,
To rein the tongue—O husbands, there's a blessing!
As Virtue seems the Mason's sole foundation,
Why should the Fair be barr'd from—Installation?
If you suppose us weak, indeed you wrong us;
Historians, Saphos too, you'll find among us;
Think—Brothers—think, and graciously admit us;
Doubt it not, Sirs, we'll gloriously acquit us:
How to be wiser, and more cautious, teach us,
Indeed 'tis time that your instructions reach us:
The faults of late, and every soul miscarriage,
Committed in the sphere of modern marriage,
Were caus'd (If I've a grain of penetration)
From each great Lady's not being made a Mason.
Accept us then, to Brotherhood receive us,
And Virtue, we're convinc'd, will never leave us.
That make them hope to be received as Masons:
To keep a secret,—not one hint expressing,
To rein the tongue—O husbands, there's a blessing!
As Virtue seems the Mason's sole foundation,
Why should the Fair be barr'd from—Installation?
232
Historians, Saphos too, you'll find among us;
Think—Brothers—think, and graciously admit us;
Doubt it not, Sirs, we'll gloriously acquit us:
How to be wiser, and more cautious, teach us,
Indeed 'tis time that your instructions reach us:
The faults of late, and every soul miscarriage,
Committed in the sphere of modern marriage,
Were caus'd (If I've a grain of penetration)
From each great Lady's not being made a Mason.
Accept us then, to Brotherhood receive us,
And Virtue, we're convinc'd, will never leave us.
| Poems, chiefly pastoral | |