The eighteenth song. Of women.
1
I wonder why by foul-mouth'd men
Women so slander'd be,
Since it so easily doth appear
Th'are better far then we.
2
Why are the Graces every one
Pictur'd as women be,
If not to shew that they in Grace
Do more excell then we?
3
Why are the liberal Sciences
Pictur'd as women be
But t'show (if they would study them)
They'd more excell then we.
4
And yet the Senses every one,
As men should pictur'd be;
To make it known that women are
Less sensual then we.
5
Why are the virtues every one
Pictur'd as women be;
If not to shew that they in them,
Do more excell then we?
6
Since women are so full of worth,
Let them all praised be;
For commendations they deserve
In ampler wise then we.