T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
Since We Poor Slavish Women Know
By William Wycherley (1640–1716)(From Gentleman Dancing Master, 1672) |
SINCE we poor slavish women know | |
| Our men we cannot pick and choose; | |
| To him we like, why say we no? | |
| We both our time and labour lose: | |
| By our put-offs, and fond delays, | 5 |
| A Lover’s Appetite we pall; | |
| And if too long the Gallant stays, | |
| His Stomach’s gone for good and all. | |
| Or our impatient Amorous guest | |
| Unknown to us away may steal, | 10 |
| And rather than stay for a feast | |
| Take up with some course ready meal. | |
| When opportunity is kind, | |
| Let prudent women be so too; | |
| And if a man be to her mind, | 15 |
| Till, till,—she must not let him go. | |
| The match soon made is happy still, | |
| For only love, ’tis best to do; | |
| For none should marry ’gainst their will, | |
| But stand off when their Parents woo, | 20 |
| And only to their Suits be coy; | |
| For she whom Jointures can obtain | |
| To let a Fop her bed enjoy, | |
| Is but a lawful wench for gain. | |