"One would not, sure, be frightful when one's dead"And-Betty-give this cheek a little red." 251 The courtier smooth, who forty years had shin'd An humble servant to all human kind, Just brought out this, when scarce his tongue could stir, "If—where I'm going-I could serve you, Sir ?” "I give and I devise" (old Euclio said, And sigh'd)" my lands and tenements to Ned." 256 "Your money, Sir ?"—" My money, Sir, what, all? "Why-if I must-(then wept) I give it Paul." 259 "The manor Sir?" The manor! hold," he cry'd ; "Not that I cannot part with that"-and dy'd. And you, brave Cobham! to the latest breath, Shall feel your ruling passion strong in death; Such in those moments as in all the past, "Oh! save my country, Heav'n!" shall be your last. 264 TO A LADY. Of the Characters of Women. THE ARGUMENT. THAT the particular characters of Women are not so strongly marked as those of Men, seldom so fixed, and still more inconsistent with themselves, v. 1, &c. Instances of contrarieties, given even from such characters as are more strongly marked, and seemingly, therefore, most consistent: as I. in the affected, v. 21, &c. II. In the soft natured, v. 29, and 37. III. In the cunning and artful, v. 45. IV. In the whimisical, v. 35. V. In the lewd and vicious, v. 63. VI. In the witty and refined, v. 87. VII. In the stupid and simple, v. 101. The former part having shewn that the particular characters of Women are more various than those of Men, it is nevertheless observed that the general characteristic of the sex, as to the ruling passion, is more uniform, v. 207. This is occasioned partly by their nature, partly by their education, and in some degree by necessity, v. 211. What are the aims and fate of this sex-I. As to power, v. 219. II. As to pleasure, v. 231. Advice for their true interest, v. 249. The picture of an estimable Woman, with the best kind of contrarieties, v. 269. NOTHING so true as what you once let fall, 5 10 With simp'ring angels, palms, and harps divine, Whether the charmer sinner it or saint it, 15 If folly grow romatic, I must paint it. Come then, the colours and ground prepare! Dip in the rainbow, trick her off in air; Chuse a firm cloud before it fall, and in it 19 Catch, ere she change, the Cynthia of this minute. Rufa, whose eye quick-glancing o'er the Park 25 So morning insects, that in muck begun, Shine, buzz and fly-blow in the setting sun. How soft is Silia! fearful to offend; The frail one's advocate, the weak one's friend: 30 Papillia, wedded to her am'rous spark, 35 Sighs for the shades-" How charming is a park !” A park is purchas'd; but the fair he sees All bath'd in tears-" Oh odious, odious trees!" 40 Ladies like variegated tulips show; "Tis to their changes half their charms we owe : Fine by defect, and delicately weak, Their happy spots the nice admirer take. 'Twas thus Calypso once each heart alarm'd, Yet ne'er so sure our passion to create As when she touch'd the brink of all we hate. 45 50 Narcissa's nature, tolerable mild, To make a wash would hardly stew a child, When 'tis by that alone she can be borne ? 60 A fool to pleasure yet a slave to fame? Now deep in Taylor and the Book of Martyrs, A very Heathen in the carnal part, Yet still a sad good Christian at her heart. See Sin in state, majestically drunk, Proud as a peeress, prouder as a punk; Chaste to her husband, frank to all beside; A teeming mistress, but a barren bride. 66 70 What then? let blood and body bear the fault, 75 She sins with poets thro' pure love of wit. Cæsar and Tallboy, Charles and Charlemagne. |