J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.
By Judith Madan (c. 1750)Written in her brother’s Coke upon Littleton
O
Mayst thou to gold th’ unpolished ore refine!
May each dark page unfold its haggard brow!
Doubt not to reap, if thou can’st bear to plough.
To tempt thy care, may, each revolving night,
Purses and maces swim before thy sight!
From hence in times to come, advent’rous deed!
May’st thou essay to look and speak like Mead!
When the black bag and rose no more shall shade
With martial air the honours of thy head;
When the full wig thy visage shall enclose,
And only leave to view thy learnèd nose.
Safely may’st thou defy beaux, wits, and scoffers,
While tenants, in fee-simple, stuff thy coffers.