The Rights of Woman
written in 1792
While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty things, The fate of Empires and the fall of Kings; While quacks of State must each produce his plan, And even children lisp the Rights of Man; Amid this mighty fuss just let me mention, The Rights of Woman merit some attention. First, in the Sexes' intermix'd connection, One sacred Right of Woman is, protection. The tender flower that lifts its head, elate, Helpless, must fall before the blasts of Fate, Sunk on the earth, defac'd its lovely form, Unless your shelter ward th' impending storm. Our second Right - but needless here is caution, To keep that right inviolate's the fashion; Each man of sense has it so full before him, He'd die before he'd wrong it - 'tis decorum. There was, indeed, in far less polish'd days, A time, when rough rude man had naughty ways, Would swagger, swear, get drunk, kick up a riot, Nay even thus invade a Lady's quiet. Now, thank our stars! those Gothic times are fled; Now, well-bred men - and you are all well-bred - Most justly think (and we are much the gainers) Such conduct neither spirit, wit, nor manners. For Right the third, our last, our best, our dearest, That right to fluttering female hearts the nearest; Which even the Rights of Kings, in low prostration, Most humbly own - 'tis dear, dear admiration! In that blest sphere alone we live and move; There taste that life of life-immortal love. Smiles, glances, sighs, tears, fits , flirtations, airs ; 'Gainst such an host what flinty savage dares, When awful Beauty joins with all her charms Who is so rash as rise in rebel arms? But truce with kings, and truce with constitutions, With bloody armaments and revolutions; Let Majesty your first attention summon, Ah! ca ira! The Majesty Of Woman!
Protection, Decorum and Admiration... See, still learning.
When I first read the title of this poem my 21st century thought patterns told me to move along. However, knowing what I do about the 18th century, I went back to it and with my bride’s encouragement I set out to learn it. I appreciate the works of Mr. Burns and have a few of them memorized and now I almost have this one as well. Protection, Caution and Admiration. The men of yesteryear would be appalled at the men of today. I imagine they wouldn’t call us men at all, they’d probably call us neuter. This is a wonderful work that men of today should give attention to. They might find conviction as I did and continue to.