Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 7.djvu/115

 There was on both sides much to say: She'd hear the cause another day. And so she did; and then a third She heard it — there she kept her word: But, with rejoinders or replies, Long bills, and answers stuff'd with lies, Demur, imparlance, and essoign, The parties ne'er could issue join: For sixteen years the cause was spun, And then stood where it first begun. Now, gentle Clio, sing or say, What Venus meant by this delay. The goddess much perplex'd in mind To see her empire thus declin'd; Wlien first this grand debate arose, Above her wisdom to compose, Conceiv'd a project in her head To work her ends; which, if it sped, Would show the merits of the cause Far better than consulting laws. In a glad hour Lucina's aid Produc'd on earth a wondrous maid, On whom the Queen of Love was bent To try a new experiment. She threw her law books on the shelf, And thus debated with herself. Since men allege, they ne'er can find Those beauties in a female mind, Which raise a flame that will endure For ever uncorrupt and pure; If 'tis with reason they complain, This infant shall restore my reign. I'll search where every virtue dwells, From courts inclusive down to cells: