 | 'Twixt Kiss and Lip or Under the Sword. By the author of "Women Must Weep," [i.e. F. W. O. Ward] Third edition |  |
A LIBEL.
The world is ruled with little skill,
And man may rule for ever;
Who loves sweet woman, if he will,
But trusts her—never.
And man may rule for ever;
Who loves sweet woman, if he will,
But trusts her—never.
Put faith in foxes, April skies,
Or madmen given to murther;
And trust your wife—beneath your eyes,
But trust no further.
Or madmen given to murther;
And trust your wife—beneath your eyes,
But trust no further.
Religion, culture, every art,
From toilets unto dinners;
Make woman look the saint's pure part,
And live the sinner's.
From toilets unto dinners;
Make woman look the saint's pure part,
And live the sinner's.
Though man has turned old falsehoods out,
While new slip in securely;
She has but learned to be devout,
And lie demurely.
While new slip in securely;
She has but learned to be devout,
And lie demurely.
Then give to woman, if you wed,
Kiss, compliment, or science;
And let her share your board and bed,
Not your reliance.
Kiss, compliment, or science;
And let her share your board and bed,
Not your reliance.
Hawk is the natural foe of dove,
And woman of her master;
Her hate is better than her love,
Her praise disaster.
And woman of her master;
Her hate is better than her love,
Her praise disaster.
Whoever trusts her soon repents,
But deadly is detection;
When she destroys, she first dements
With false affection.
But deadly is detection;
When she destroys, she first dements
With false affection.
Her kindness is a common mart,
The richest buy her blessing;
And when she strikes she stabs the heart,
And kills—caressing.
The richest buy her blessing;
And when she strikes she stabs the heart,
And kills—caressing.
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Dower her with every gift you choose,
Give her your life and labour;
She longs to settle in your shoes,
Some simpering neighbour.
Give her your life and labour;
She longs to settle in your shoes,
Some simpering neighbour.
Try what you will, do all you can,
She only grows more shameless;
Your friend, the enemy of man,
Untamed and tameless.
She only grows more shameless;
Your friend, the enemy of man,
Untamed and tameless.
Her only weapon is her tongue,
A match for court or college;
Poetry oft its charms has sung,
But never knowledge.
A match for court or college;
Poetry oft its charms has sung,
But never knowledge.
Her lips have been the Tempter's seat,
Since Eve entangled Adam;
And when she tempts, she looks as sweet
As thou, fair madam.
Since Eve entangled Adam;
And when she tempts, she looks as sweet
As thou, fair madam.
| 'Twixt Kiss and Lip or Under the Sword. By the author of "Women Must Weep," [i.e. F. W. O. Ward] Third edition | |