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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FOUR SONGS BY WAY OF CHORUS TO A PLAY: 2. FEMININE HONOURS, by THOMAS CAREW Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: In what esteem did the gods hold Last Line: Than her false echo in the ear. Subject(s): Women | |||
IN what esteem did the gods hold Fair Innocence and the chaste bed, When scandall'd Virtue might be bold Bare-foot upon sharp coulters, spread O'er burning coals, to march; yet feel Nor scorching fire nor piercing steel! Why, when the hard-edg'd iron did turn Soft as a bed of roses blown, When cruel flames forgot to burn Their chaste pure limbs, should man alone 'Gainst female innocence conspire, Harder than steel, fiercer than fire? Oh, hapless sex! Unequal sway Of partial honour! Who may know Rebels from subjects that obey, When malice can on vestals throw Disgrace, and fame fix high repute On the close shameless prostitute? Vain Honour! thou art but disguise, A cheating voice, a juggling art; No judge of Virtue, whose pure eyes Court her own image in the heart, More pleas'd with her true figure there Than her false echo in the ear. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARISTOTLE TO PHYLLIS by JOHN HOLLANDER A WOMAN'S DELUSION by SUSAN HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS THE WOMEN ON CYTHAERON by ROBINSON JEFFERS TOMORROW by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD LADIES FOR DINNER, SAIPAN by KENNETH KOCH GOODBYE TO TOLERANCE by DENISE LEVERTOV A DEPOSITION FROM LOVE by THOMAS CAREW A PASTORAL DIALOGUE: SHEPHERD, NYMPH, CHORUS by THOMAS CAREW |
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