The Heptalogia
And large the license that sublimes

A nineteenth-century female fate—

Sweet cause that thralls my liberal rhymes!

[Pg 401]

And Chastities and colder Shames,

Decorums mute and marvellous,

And fair Behaviour that reclaims

All fancies grown erroneous,

Moved round me musing, till my choice

Faltered. A female in a wig

Stood by me, and a drouthy voice

Announced her—Mrs. Betsy Prig.

2. THE CAUDLE

Sweet Love that sways the reeling years,

The crown and chief of certitudes,

For whose calm eyes and modest ears

Time writes the rule and text of prudes—

That, surpliced, stoops a nuptial head,

Nor chooses to live blindly free,

But, with all pulses quieted,


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