Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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Woman.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Woman.
See Wife.
Tears in abundance ever wait her Will,
To be squeez'd out, and over-flow her Eyes,
Just as Occasion serves.—
To be squeez'd out, and over-flow her Eyes,
Just as Occasion serves.—
Woman is soft and of a tender Heart,
Apt to receive, and to retain Love's Dart:
Man has a Breast robust, and more secure,
It wounds him not so deep, nor hits so sure.
Men oft are false: and, if You search with Care,
You'll find less Fraud imputed to the Fair.—
Apt to receive, and to retain Love's Dart:
Man has a Breast robust, and more secure,
It wounds him not so deep, nor hits so sure.
Men oft are false: and, if You search with Care,
You'll find less Fraud imputed to the Fair.—
Perfidious Woman naturally deceives,
And all her Speeches are like falling Leaves:
Which when the Winds have from the Branches tore,
About they're blown a-while, and seen no more.
And all her Speeches are like falling Leaves:
Which when the Winds have from the Branches tore,
About they're blown a-while, and seen no more.
There's nothing bolder than a Woman caught:
Guilt gives 'em Courage to maintain their Fault.—
Guilt gives 'em Courage to maintain their Fault.—
No Cause is try'd at the litigious Bar,
But Women Plaintiffs, or Defendants are.
They form the Process, all the Briefs they write:
The Topicks furnish, and the Pleas indite:
And teach the toothless Lawyer how to bite.—
But Women Plaintiffs, or Defendants are.
529
The Topicks furnish, and the Pleas indite:
And teach the toothless Lawyer how to bite.—
Poor vain Ogulnia, on the Poet's Day,
Will borrow Cloths, and Chair, to see the Play:
Will spend the last Half-Crown of her Estate,
And pawn the last remaining Piece of Plate.
Some are reduc'd their utmost Shifts to try,
But Women have no Shame of Poverty:
Beyond their Stint they live: as if their Store
The more exhausted would encrease the more:
Some Men, instructed by the lab'ring Ant,
Provide against th' Extremities of Want:
But Womankind, that never knows a Mean,
Down to the Dregs their sinking Fortunes drain:
Hourly they give, and spend, and waste, and wear,
And think no Pleasure can be bought too dear.—
Will borrow Cloths, and Chair, to see the Play:
Will spend the last Half-Crown of her Estate,
And pawn the last remaining Piece of Plate.
Some are reduc'd their utmost Shifts to try,
But Women have no Shame of Poverty:
Beyond their Stint they live: as if their Store
The more exhausted would encrease the more:
Some Men, instructed by the lab'ring Ant,
Provide against th' Extremities of Want:
But Womankind, that never knows a Mean,
Down to the Dregs their sinking Fortunes drain:
Hourly they give, and spend, and waste, and wear,
And think no Pleasure can be bought too dear.—
I know full well the giddy Mind of Woman:
Would You? They won't: but, if You won't, They will.—
Would You? They won't: but, if You won't, They will.—
When Tatius rul'd the antient Sabine Race,
Then rough, and careless of a handsome Face,
The Women took more Pains to earn their Bread
At Plow, and Cart, than how to dress the Head.
All Day their Task the busy Matrons ply'd,
Or spinning sat, as to their Distaffs ty'd.
The Mother then, at Night, would fold the Sheep,
Her little Daughter us'd by Day to keep.
And when at home, would cleave out Logs of Wood,
Or kindle up a Fire to boil their Food.
But You, bright Fair! who're form'd in finer Moulds,
Must wrap your Limbs in rich brocaded Folds:
Must comb, and curl, and with abundant Care
Turn up, and braid, and place the shining Hair.
With Necklaces and Rings, set off your Charms,
Hang Pendants in your Ears, and Bracelets on your Arms:
Nor need this Care to please a Blush create,
For Men themselves have learn'd to Dress of late.—
Then rough, and careless of a handsome Face,
The Women took more Pains to earn their Bread
At Plow, and Cart, than how to dress the Head.
All Day their Task the busy Matrons ply'd,
Or spinning sat, as to their Distaffs ty'd.
The Mother then, at Night, would fold the Sheep,
Her little Daughter us'd by Day to keep.
And when at home, would cleave out Logs of Wood,
Or kindle up a Fire to boil their Food.
But You, bright Fair! who're form'd in finer Moulds,
Must wrap your Limbs in rich brocaded Folds:
Must comb, and curl, and with abundant Care
Turn up, and braid, and place the shining Hair.
With Necklaces and Rings, set off your Charms,
Hang Pendants in your Ears, and Bracelets on your Arms:
Nor need this Care to please a Blush create,
For Men themselves have learn'd to Dress of late.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |