TO A LADY. OF THE CHARACTERS OF WOMEN. The Argument. THAT the particular characters of Women are not so strongly marked as those of men, seldom so fixed, and still more inconsistent with themselves, v. 1, &c. Instances of contrarieties, given even from such characters as are most strongly marked, and seemingly, therefore, most consistent; as, I. In the affected, v. 21, &c. II. In the soft natured, v. 29, and 37. III. In the cunning and artful, v. 45. IV. In the whimsical, v. 53. V. In the lewd and vicious, v. 69. VI. In the witty and res fined, v. 87. VII. In the stupid and simple, v. 101. The former part having shewn, that the particular characters of Women are more varlous than those of men, it is nevertheless observed, that the general characteristic of the sex, as to the ruling passion, is more uniform, v. 207. This is occasioned, partly by their nature, partly by their education, and, in some degree, by necessity, v. 211. What are the aims, and the fate of this sex:-I. As to power, v. 219. II. As to pleasure. v. 231. Advice for their true interest, v. 249. The picture of an estimable Woman with the best kind of contrarieties, v. 269. NOTHING OTHING so true as what you once let fall, There is nothing in Mr. Pope's works, more highly finish. ed than this Epistle. Yet its success was in no proportion to the pains he took in composing it. Something he chanced to drop in a short advertisement prefixed to it, on its first publication, may perhaps account for the small attention given to it. He said that no one character in it was drawn from the life. The public believed him on his word, and expressed little curiosity about a satire, in which there was nothing personal 20 10 How many pictures of one nymph we view, 5 All how unlike each other, all how true! Arcadia's Countess, here, in ermin'd pride, Is there Pastora, by a fountain side. Here Fannia, leering on her own good man, And there, a naked Leda with a swan. Let then the fair one beautifully cry, In Magdalene's loose hair and lifted eye; Or dress'd in smiles of sweet Cecilia shine, With simp'ring angels, palms, and harps divine; Whether the charmer sinner it, or saint it, If folly grow romantic, I must paint it. 15 Come then, the colors, and the ground prepare ! 19 Dip in the rainbow, trick her off in air ; 25 The frail one's advocate, the weak one's friend: 30 All eyes may see from what the change arose; 35 All eyes may see—a pimple on her nose. Papilia, wedded to her am'rous spark, Sighs for the shades- How charming is a park !' A park is purchas'd; but the fair he sees All bath'd in tears- Oh, odious, odious trees !' Ladies like variegated tulips show; 'Tis to their changes half their charms we owe : Their happy spots the nice admirer take. As when she touch'd the brink of all we hate. 41 45 50 To make a wash, would hardly stew a child; 60 Now Conscience chills her, and now Passion burns, And Atheism and Religion take their turns; 66 A very Heathen in the carnal part, 70 Yet still a sad good Christian at her heart. She sins with poets through pure love of wit. 75 80 85 90 Wise Wretch ! with pleasures too refin'd to please; With too much spirit to be e'er at ease; 96 With too much quickness ever to be taught; 100 Turn then from wits; and look on Simo's mate; No ass so meek, no ass so obstinate; Or her, that owns her faults but never mends, Of mirth and opium, ratafie and tears, 110 To kill those foes to fair ones, Time and Thought. But what are these to great Atossa's mind? 115 120 |