The Curll Miscellanies. VI. On the Countess of Burlington Cutting Paper

PALLAS grew vapourish once and odd;

She would not do the least right thing,

Either for Goddess or for God,

Nor work, nor play, nor paint, nor sing.

Jove frown’d, and ‘Use (he cried) those eyes

So skilful, and those hands so taper;

Do something exquisite and wise—’

She bow’d, obey’d him, and cut paper.

This vexing him who gave her birth,

Thought by all Heav’n a burning shame,

What does she next, but bids, on earth,

Her Burlington do just the same.

Pallas, you give yourself strange airs;

But sure you ’ll find it hard to spoil

The Sense and Taste of one that bears

The name of Saville and of Boyle.

Alas! one bad example shown,

How quickly all the sex pursue!

See, madam, see the arts o’erthrown

Between John Overton and you!