Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/159

---

The hasty Summons was allow'd;
And being well-bred, they rose and bow'd,
And said, they'd poste away;
That well they did Ardelia know,
And that no Female's Voice below
They sooner wou'd obey:
 
That many of that rhiming Train,
On like Occasions, sought in vain 20
Their Industry t' excite;
But for Ardelia all they'd leave:
Thus flatt'ring can the Muse deceive,
And wheedle us to write.
 
Yet, since there was such haste requir'd ;
To know the Subject 'twas desir'd,
On which they must infuse;
That they might temper Words and Rules,
And with their Counsel carry Tools,
As Country-Doctors use. 30
 
Wherefore to cut off all Delays,
'Twas soon reply'd, a Husband's Praise
(Tho' in these looser Times)
Ardelia gladly wou'd rehearse
A Husband's, who indulg'd her Verse,
And now requir'd her Rimes.
 
A Husband! eccho'd all around:
And to Parnassus sure that Sound
Had never yet been sent ;
Amazement in each Face was read, 40
In haste th' affrighted Sisters fled,
And unto Council went.