tural Timidity of the Sex; which is, ſays Mr. Oſborne, ſo great, that a Woman is ‘the moſt cowardly of all the Creatures God every made.’ A Sentiment more remarkable for its Bluntneſs, than for its Truth. Ariſtotle, in his Politics, doth them, I believe, more Juſtice, when he ſays, ‘The Modeſty and Fortitude of Men differ from thoſe Virtues in Women; for the Fortitude which becomes a Woman, would be Cowardice in a Man; and the Modeſt which becomes a Man, would be Pertneſs in a Woman.’ Nor is there, perhaps, more of Truth in the Opinion of thoſe who derive the Partiality which Women are inclined to ſhew to the Brave, from this Exceſs of their Fear. Mr. Bayle (I think, in his Article of Helen) imputes this, and with greater Probability, to their violent Love of Glory; for the Truth of which, we have the Authority of him, who, of all others, ſaw fartheſt into human Nature; and who introduces the Heroine of his Odyſſey, the great Pattern of matrimonial Love and Conſtancy, aſſigning the Glory of her Huſband as the only Source of her Affection towards him.[1]
- ↑ The Engliſh Reader will not find this in the Poem: For the Sentiment is entirely left out in the Tranſlation.
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