Classic Poem

A RAMINTA .

Well , Ladies, am I right, or am I not?
Should not this foolish passion be forgot;
This fluttering something, scarce to be exprest,
Which pleads for coxcombs in each female breast?
How mortified he look'd! — and looks so still.
He really may repent — perhaps he will. —

M ODELY .

Will , A RAMINTA ? — Ladies, be so good ,
Man's made of frail materials, flesh and blood.
We all offend at some unhappy crisis,
Have whims, caprices, vanities, — and vices.
Your happier sex by nature was design'd,
Her last best work, to perfect humankind.
No spot, no blemish, the fair frame deforms,
No avarice taints, no naughty passion warms
Your firmer hearts. No love of change in you
E'er taught desire to stray. —

A RAMINTA .

All this is true.
Yet stay; the men, perchance, may call it sneer,
And some few ladies think you not sincere.
For your petition, whether wrong or right,
Whate'er it be, withdraw it for to-night.
Another time, if I should want a spouse,
I may myself report it to the house:
At present, let us strive to mend the age;
Let justice reign, at least upon the stage.
Where the fair dames, who like to live by rule,
May learn two lessons from the L OVERS S CHOOL ;
While C ÆLIA'S choice instructs them how to chuse ,
And my refusal warns them to refuse.