Lady - The Ladies Defence: (Chap. 17) lyrics

How to delude the jealous husband's care, Silence his doubts, and lull asleep his fear, and when discovered, by the last they're taught with shews of zeal to palliate their fault,to look demure, and talk in such a strain, you'd swear they never would be ill again. Parson. You're in the right, good things they misapply, yet not in books, but them, the fault does lie, plays are of use to cultivate our parts, they teach us how to win our hearers Hearts, soft moving Language for the pulpit's fit, 'Tis there we consecrate the poet's Wit but Women were not for this province made, and should not our prerogative invade, what ever they know should be from us conveyed we their preceptors and their guides should prove, and teach them what to hate, and what to Love. But from our sermons they no ill can learn, they're there instructed in their true concern, told what they must, and what they must not be, and shew'd the utmost bounds of liberty. Sir William. Madam, since we none of your beauty share, you should content your selves with being fair, that is a blessing, much more great, than all that we can wisdom, or can science call, such beauteous faces, such bewitching ryes, who would not more than musty authors prize? Such wondrous charms will much more glory yield than all the honors of the dusty field,or all those Ivy wreaths that wit can give, and make you more admired, more reverenced live. To you, the knowing World their vows do pay, and at your feet their learned trophies lay, and your commands with eager hast obey. By all my hopes, by all that's good I swear, I'd rather be some celebrated fair, than wise as Solon, or than croesus heir. or have my memory well stuffed with all those whim says, which they high-raised notions call. Melissa. Beauty's a Trifle merits not my Care. I'd rather Æsop's ugly Visage wear, Joined with his Mind, than be a Fool, and Fair.