444
HUDIBRAS.
[THE LADY'S
For, without art, the noblest seeds
Of flowers degenerate into weeds:
How dull and rugged, ere 'tis ground
And polish'd, looks a diamond! 230
Though paradise were e'er so fair,
It was not kept so without care.
The whole world, without art and dress,
Would be but one great wilderness;
And mankind but a savage herd, 235
For all that nature has conferr'd:
This does but rough-hew and design,
Leaves art to polish and refine.
Though women first were made for men,
Yet men were made for them agen: 240
For when, out-witted by his wife,
Man first turn'd tenant but for life,[1]
If woman had not interven'd,
How soon had mankind had an end!
And that it is in being yet, 245
To us alone you are in debt.
Then where's your liberty of choice,
And our unnatural no-voice?
Since all the privilege you boast,
And falsel' usurp'd, or vainly lost, 250
Is now our right, to whose creation
You owe your happy restoration.
And if we had not weighty cause
To not appear in making laws,
We could, in spite of all your tricks 255
And shallow formal politics,
Force you our managements t' obey,
As we to yours, in show, give way.
Hence 'tis, that while you vainly strive
T advance your high prerogative, 260
You basely, after all your braves,
Submit and own yourselves our slaves;
Of flowers degenerate into weeds:
How dull and rugged, ere 'tis ground
And polish'd, looks a diamond! 230
Though paradise were e'er so fair,
It was not kept so without care.
The whole world, without art and dress,
Would be but one great wilderness;
And mankind but a savage herd, 235
For all that nature has conferr'd:
This does but rough-hew and design,
Leaves art to polish and refine.
Though women first were made for men,
Yet men were made for them agen: 240
For when, out-witted by his wife,
Man first turn'd tenant but for life,[1]
If woman had not interven'd,
How soon had mankind had an end!
And that it is in being yet, 245
To us alone you are in debt.
Then where's your liberty of choice,
And our unnatural no-voice?
Since all the privilege you boast,
And falsel' usurp'd, or vainly lost, 250
Is now our right, to whose creation
You owe your happy restoration.
And if we had not weighty cause
To not appear in making laws,
We could, in spite of all your tricks 255
And shallow formal politics,
Force you our managements t' obey,
As we to yours, in show, give way.
Hence 'tis, that while you vainly strive
T advance your high prerogative, 260
You basely, after all your braves,
Submit and own yourselves our slaves;
- ↑ When man became subject to death by eating the forbidden fruit at the persuasion of woman.
that Butler alludes to Milton, when he says,
Though paradise were e'er so fair,
It was not kept so without care.
It was not kept so without care.
