SAY, foolish females, bold and blind, 150 Wherein yourselves have greatest share ? The prudes condemn the absent prudes : 155 Cries, "Lord, the world is fo cenforious !" And Rufa, with her combs of lead, Whispers that Sappho's hair is red: Aura, whose tongue you hear a mile hence, 170 Talks half a day in praise of filence: And Sylvia, full of inward guilt, Now voices over voices rise, 175 180 The jumbling particles of matter 185 Nor do they trust their tongue alone, But speak a language of their own ; 190 Can read a nod, a shrug, a look, "Here, Betty, let me take my drops; THE table, cards, and counters fet, 210 215 "Whoever comes, I'm not within.". Quadrille's the word, and fo begin. How can the muse her aid impart, 220 225 With panting heart, and earneft eyes, 230 In vain, alas! her hope is fed; She draws an ace, and fees it red. In ready counters never pays, But pawns her fnuff box, rings, and keys; 235 Tries twenty charms to mend her luck. 66 This morning, when the parfon came, “ I said I should not win a game. "This odious chair, how came I stuck in't? 240 "I think I never had good luck in't, I'm fo uneafy in my stays; "Your fan a moment, if you please. Lord! Madam, you have loft Codill: 245 “Nay, Madam, give me leave to say "'Twas you that threw the game away; "When Lady Trickfey play'd a four, 250 "You took it with a mattadore; "I faw you touch your wedding ring "Before my Lady call'd a king; "You spoke a word began with H, "And I know whom you meant to teach, 255 "Because you held the king of hearts; "Fie, Madam. leave thefe little arts." "Madam, you have no cause to flounce, "Ifwear I faw you thrice renounce." I guess the hand; it feldom fails: 260 265 I wish fome folks would pare their nails. WHILE thus they rail, and fcold, and ftorm, 270 As if they had but just begun. How oft they fquabble, fnarl, and cheat. 280 Come, let us play the other round," 285 Now, all in hafte they huddle on Their hoods and cloaks, and get them gone; But firft the winner muft invite The company to-morrow night. UNLUCKY Madam, left in tears, The COUNTRY-LIFE. Bart of a summer spent at the house of GEORGE ROCHFORT, Efq; Wrtiten in the year 1723. THALIA, tell in fober lays, How George, Nim, Dan. Dean pafs their days. Begin, my mufe. First from our bow'rs We fally forth at diff'rent hours; At feven the Dean, in night-gown dreft, And kiffes George, and ends our lectures; 5 10 Hawls him, and stolds us down to breakfast. We fquander there an hour or more, And then all hands boys, to the oar, Who neither time nor order kept; R. 3 My Lord Chief Baron's fmaller boat. 30 |