Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-01-30
390Etrp.
woMAN's SEVEN AGES.

The WORLDS Stagc-and Man has Seven Ages:
So Shakespeare wres-King of Dramatic Sages;
But he forgot tell you in his plan.
=. That Woman play her part well as Man.
First, how her infant heart with triumph swells,
When the red coral shakes its silver bes.-
She like young Statesmen, as the rattle rings,
Leaps ut the sound, and struts in leading strings
Next, little Miss, in pin a-fore trim,
With nurse noisy with mama so prim-
Eager to tell you all she's taught to utter
Lisps as she grasps the allotted bread and butter;
Type other sex-who, though no longer young,
Hold every thing with ease, except their tongue.
a school girl hen-She curls her hair in papers,
Aud minics Fat.cr's govt, aud Mothers yapours:
Tramplss alike customs, aud on toes,
And whispers all she hears to all she knows:
"Get'y!" si'e cries, sit comes into my head,
sold maids grow cross because their cats dead;
'Aly Governess has been in such fuss
"Ahout the death of our cd tabby puss-
"Shc wears black stockugs-i1a. ha.-what potter,
"'Causc one old cats in mourning for another!"
The Child of Nature-free from pride aud pomp,
And suse to please, though nothing but Ronp,
Next ripper Miss, who, nature more disclosing,
Now finds some traits of uterposing;
Aud with blue Laughing eyes behind her fan.
FIRST acts her part-with that great actor Man!
Behold her osling vain Coquette,
Catching male gudgeonS in her silver d net:
All things rcvesdtlie neck, cropt close and bare,
Scarce feels tn incumbrance of a single hair;
Whilstthc thick forehead tresSes, frizzled full,
Rival the tuiied locks thar grace the bull
Then comes that sober cha racter-a Wife,
With all the dear, distraciing cares oflife;
thousand cards, thousand joys extend,
For what may not upon card depend:
Though Justice in the morn claim fifty pounds,
Five hundred won at night may heal the wounds
Now she III snatch half a glance at Opera, Ball,
n meteor trac'd by none, though seen by all;
Iil Spousy finds, while anxious to immu re her,
y patent Coffin only can secure her!
a, last, the Dow:ser-in ancient founces,
With stuff and sPectacles, this age denounces-
And thus she moralizcs -
'How hold and forward each young flirt appears
"Courtship, in my time, lasted seven years
SNOW seven little months suffice of course,
"For courtiug, marrying, scoiding, and divorce!
"What with their truss'dup shapes and pa aoons,
"Dress occupies the whole Of honey n,sons:--
"Thcy say we have no soulS-but what more odd is,
"Nor men, NO men now, have any bodies!-
'fNhen was youns--my heart was always tender,
sand would, TO every spouse had, surrender;
&" their wishes to refuse 4 never durst--
''r nj my fourth died as happy my irst.'
luce to such splenctic and rash designs,
Ari let US minse candour with lines.
j. I'll the stages of domestic life,
rs child, sister, parent, friend, and wife,
Woman, the source of every fond employ,
Softens affection, and emlivens JOY
What is your boast, male rule RS Of the land.
How cold and cherries all you command!
Vain yo"r ambition-van your wealth and power,
Unless kind woman share your raptur'd hour;
Unless, 'midst all the glare of pageant art,
She adds her smile, and triunphs in your heart.