University of Virginia Library

Our Author made a most egregious Blunder,
And much presum'd, to call this Play The Wonder,
Because a Woman would not to her Lover
The Secret she was sworn to keep, discover;
She, acting true to Character, conceal'd it;
The Wonder would have been had she reveal'd it!—
Is it not strange that any one should dare
To think such Firmness in our Sex was rare?—
Upon my life the Men are such odd fellows,
They're even grown of Female Virtues jealous;
And in their wise opinions seem t'agree
We hold them, like Our Thirds—by Courtesy.
Our humbler Genius never ought to soar;
Flirt, and coquet, we may, but—nothing more!—
These mighty Lords come all so learn'd from College,
They grudge poor Us our little share of Knowledge!—
Let them their two dead Languages still boast,
We of our living one will make the most,
And show them all, that we'll assert our Sway,
And know our lawful Rights as well as they—
Gallants! how scar'd you look—the case is clear,
You keep us ignorant because you fear;
But for this Art of yours, your boasted Pow'rs
High as you rate them, soon would stoop to ours.
Go, search in ancient, or in modern Story,
What Virtues have not stampt our Sex's Glory?
Blushing, you'll this assertion then believe,
No Deed so great a Woman can't achieve!—
Ladies, since things are thus, take this advice,
Be in your choice of Men extremely nice;
They are so arrogant, and so untrue,
Trust them no more than you're oblig'd to do:
Besides, they are all so curious, they're for knowing,
Like my Don Felix, every thing that's doing;
And tell a Secret to them, if they're Young,
At the next Tavern it slips off their tongue;
If Old, there's still as little chance 'twill keep,
They doat, or doze, and blab it in their sleep.

Caution'd by me, ye Fair, be this your plan,
Since there's no shunning that strange Compound, Man,
Like Violante, even to a Lover
The Secret which he longs for, ne'er discover;
Be you but firmly fix'd in this, and show it,
You'll find your Swain will die but he will know it.—
Never your Favors, or your Smiles dispense
But to the Man of Worth, and Man of Sense;
Keep the whole Race of Fools and Coxcombs under,
And we must reign, or show—A Second Wonder.