25 30 35 Well, if our author in the wife offends, He has a husband that will make amends: He draws him gentle, tender, and forgiving; And sure such kind good creatures may be living. In days of old, they pardon'd breach of vows, Stern Cato's self was no relentless spouse: Plu-Plutarch, what's his name, that writes his life? Tells us, that Cato dearly lov'd his wife: Yet if a friend, a night or so, should need her, He'd recommend her as a special breeder. To lend a wife, few here would scruple make; But, pray, which of you all would take her back? Though with the stoic chief our stage may ring, The stoic husband was the glorious thing. The man had courage, was a sage, 'tis true. And lov'd his country-but what's that to you? Those strange examples ne'er were made to fit ye, But the kind cuckold might instruct the city: There, many an honest man may copy Cato, Who ne'er saw naked sword, or look'd in Plato. If, after all, you think it a disgrace, That Edward's miss thus perks it in your face; To see a piece of failing flesh and blood, In all the rest so impudently good; Faith, let the modest matrons of the town 40 45 Come here in crowds, and stare the strumpet down. ON RECEIVING FROM THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LADY FRANCES SHIRLEY, A STANDISH AND TWO PENS*. YES, I beheld th' Athenian Queen Descend in all her sober charms; "And take," she said, and smil'd serene, "Take at this hand celestial arms: These lines were occasioned by the poet's being threatened with a prosecution in the House of Lords, for writing the Epilogue to the Satires. "Secure the radiant weapons wield; Aw'd, on my bended knees I fell, "What well? what weapon?" Flavia cries, "A standish, steel, and golden pen! It came from Bertrand's, not the skies; it you to write again. I gave "But, friend! take heed whom you attack; Red, blue, and green, nay, white and black, "You'd write as smooth again on glass, As not to stick at fool or ass, Nor stop at flattery or fib. "Athenian Queen! and sober charms! SONG, BY A PERSON OF QUALITY. Written in the Year 1733. FLUTTERING spread thy purple pinion's, I a slave in thy dominions: Nature must give way to art. Mild Arcadians, ever blooming, Thus the Cyprian goddess weeping, Cynthia! tune harmonious numbers; Gloomy Pluto! king of terrors, Mournful cypress, verdant willow, MACER. A CHARACTER. WHEN simple Macer, now of high renown, 5 10 15 20 25 So Some ends of verse his betters might afford, Now he begs verse, and what he gets commends, 10 So some coarse country-wench, almost decay'd, 15 Now nothing left, but wither'd, pale, and shrunk, 20 26 ON A CERTAIN LADY AT COURT. I KNOW the thing that's most uncommon; (Envy be silent and attend!) I know a reasonable woman, Handsome and witty, yet a friend. Not warp'd by passion, aw'd by rumour, Not grave through pride, nor gay through folly, And sensible soft melancholy. "Has she not faults then (Envy says), sir?" Yes, she has one, I must aver; 10 When all the world conspires to praise her, VERBATIM FROM BOILEAU. ONCE (says an author, where I need not say) 10 ANSWER TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTION OF MRS. HOWE. WHAT is prudery? 'Tis a beldam, Seen with wit and beauty seldom. 10 OCCASIONED BY SOME VERSES OF HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. MUSE, 'tis enough, at length thy labour ends, |