.Nw.OTQz

On the present loose drapery of the fair sex. 1794.

Ladies of old, twas understood were poor, frail creatures flesh and blood! Too prone their virtue to surrender To every saucy, bold pretender; Who from within by rebels aided, Th' assault could rarely be evaded - Yet anxious to continue chaste, With whalebone they secured their waist; Which, stiff with buckram, stich [nb:published version of this has the word as "lac'd"] & twisted The fierce invader's force resisted; Thus arm'd with stays and - female pride, They hostile man sometimes defied But now Like Angels, chase & pure With rigid virtue's shield secure; The gates [nb: overwritten] thrown open; cautions cease The nymph enjoys herself in peace.* What, tho she lay aside her stays, From Dutys paths the never strays Her zone she binds beneath her breast And only veils with lawn the rest; And tho by foes sometimes bombarded, She leaves the fortress quite unguarded; Still to herself and virtue true, She fears not what vain man can do.

Apertis otia portis