Classic Poem

One word before you go — Grave critics , say,
The moral is the meaning of the Play:
I'm sure, that hope, in ours, we did not couzen ,
For — let me see — I'll point out half a dozen:
First — folly makes a quiet state, a mad one;
Next, a good king is better than a bad one.
Third , when a virtuous prude expects foul play,
She'll ne'er be ravish'd — if she runs away.
Fourth , by the old and young , at once, addrest ,
She, who prefers the young one , chuses best .
Fifth , where our wits too weak, for our ambition ,
Our grief , and shame , keep pace, with our condition .
Sixthly , and lastly — to avoid confusion ,
And keep the best instruction, for conclusion ,
A jealous fair , who would a rival hate,
Should love, like me, a minister of state:
Safe, in her choice , she might, in peace , caress him,
And, with un-envy'd property , possess him.
By claim of custom , politicians bait him,
And, right, or wrong, the fair find cause to hate him.