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The works of Allan Ramsay

edited by Burns Martin ... and John W. Oliver [... and Alexander M. Kinghorn ... and Alexander Law]

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TO SOME YOUNG LADIES
  
  
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TO SOME YOUNG LADIES

Who had been displeas'd at a Gentleman's too imprudently asserting, That to be condemn'd to perpetual Virginity was the greatest Punishment could be inflicted on any of their Sex.

Whether condemn'd to a Virgin State
By the superiour Powers,
Would to your Sex prove cruel Fate,
I'm sure it would to ours.
From you the numerous Nations spring,
Your Breasts our Beings save,
Your Beauties make the youthful sing,
And sooth the old and grave.

238

Alas! How soon would every Wight
Despise both Wit and Arms,
To primitive old Chaos Night
We'd sink without your Charms.
No more our Breath would be our Care,
Were Love from us exil'd,
Sent back to Heaven with all the Fair,
This World would turn a Wild.
Regardless of these sacred Tyes,
Wife, Husband, Father, Son,
All Government we would despise,
And like wild Tygers run.
Then, Ladies, pardon the Mistake,
And with th'accus'd agree,
I beg it for each Lover's sake,
Low bended on my Knee.
And frankly wish what has been said
By the audacious Youth,
Might be your Thought, but I'm afraid
It will not prove a Truth.
For often, ah! you make us groan
By your too cold Disdain,
Then quarrel with us when we moan
And rave amidst our Pain.