A Collection of Miscellany poems and letters Comical and Serious. By Jo. Harvey |
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EPILOGUE TO A PLAY Acted at HADDINGTOUN.
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 | A Collection of Miscellany poems and letters |  |
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EPILOGUE TO A PLAY Acted at HADDINGTOUN.
[Down from the Mother of all Womankind]
Down from the Mother of all Womankind,
The old cross Rib, ex traduce, we find;
So that, you see,—but further Demonstration,
A Female is a Shrew by Generation.
The old cross Rib, ex traduce, we find;
So that, you see,—but further Demonstration,
A Female is a Shrew by Generation.
Nisa, you find, was as cross-grain'd a Lass,
As e'er that froward Virgin, old Queen Bess.
When ought misgave her, then she sat all surly,
Preluding to the Future Hurly-Burly;
Then in a Trice, a loud and sudden Rattle,
Gives the first Signal to domestick Battle.
Each Corner rings with Clamour, Brawl and Splutter,
And there poor Cully sits, and dares not mutter.
As e'er that froward Virgin, old Queen Bess.
When ought misgave her, then she sat all surly,
Preluding to the Future Hurly-Burly;
Then in a Trice, a loud and sudden Rattle,
Gives the first Signal to domestick Battle.
Each Corner rings with Clamour, Brawl and Splutter,
And there poor Cully sits, and dares not mutter.
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Ladies, attend—and drop these dread Alarms,
Consult, if not your Ease, at least your Charms.
These Gusts of Passion sudden Wrinkles bring,
And shed swift Autumn o'er your blooming Spring;
When Maids, you may be nice,—but kind and gay,
Say no—but never think one Word you say;
Your Tongues and Eyes may wage eternal War,
Each Glance a Heav'n—And ev'ry Word—Despair!
Still may the Tongue say no—But for all this—
The kinder Eyes must speak a charming—Yes!
So, Gallants, you this Lesson just shall find,
Women, by Contradiction, may be kind.
You by our Moral see (which is not evil)
A loving Wife, made of a reigning Devil.
Consult, if not your Ease, at least your Charms.
These Gusts of Passion sudden Wrinkles bring,
And shed swift Autumn o'er your blooming Spring;
When Maids, you may be nice,—but kind and gay,
Say no—but never think one Word you say;
Your Tongues and Eyes may wage eternal War,
Each Glance a Heav'n—And ev'ry Word—Despair!
Still may the Tongue say no—But for all this—
The kinder Eyes must speak a charming—Yes!
So, Gallants, you this Lesson just shall find,
Women, by Contradiction, may be kind.
You by our Moral see (which is not evil)
A loving Wife, made of a reigning Devil.
| A Collection of Miscellany poems and letters | |