Corinna, with that youthful air,
Is thirty, and a bit to spare:
Her fondness for a certain earl390
Began when I was but a girl!
Phillis, who but a month ago
Was marry'd to the Tunbridge beau,
I saw coquetting t'other night
In publick with that odious knight!395
They rally'd next Vanessa's dress:
That gown was made for old queen Bess,
Dear madam, let me see your head:
Don't you intend to put on red?
A petticoat without a hoop!400
Sure, you are not asham'd to stoop!
With handsome garters at your knees,
No matter what a fellow sees.
Fill'd with disdain, with rage inflam'd,
Both of herself and sex asham'd,405
The nymph stood silent out of spite,
Nor would vouchsafe to set them right.
Away the fair detractors went,
And gave by turns their censures vent.
She's not so handsome in my eyes:410
For wit, I wonder where it lies!
She's fair and clean, and that's the most:
But why proclaim her for a toast?
A baby face; no life, no airs,
But what she learn'd at country fairs;415
Scarce knows what difference is between
Rich Flanders lace and Colberteen.
I'll undertake, my little Nancy
In flounces has a better fancy!
With all her wit, I would not ask420
Her judgment how to buy a mask.
