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

Rh 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 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
 * Their Industry t' excite;

But for 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.

Wherefore to cut off all Delays, 'Twas soon reply'd, a Husband's Praise
 * (Tho' in these looser Times)

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, In haste th' affrighted Sisters fled,
 * And unto Council went.