| Alexander Pope (1688–1744). Complete Poetical Works. 1903. | | | | Poems: 1718–27 | | Answer to the Following Question of Mrs. Howe |
| | | | Mary Howe was appointed Maid of Honour to Queen Caroline, in 1720. ‘Lepell’ was another Maid of Honour, |
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WHAT is Prudery? | |
| ’T is a beldam, | |
| Seen with Wit and Beauty seldom. | |
| ’T is a fear that starts at shadows; | |
| ’T is (no, ’t is n’t) like Miss Meadows. | 5 |
| ’T is a virgin hard of feature, | |
| Old, and void of all good-nature; | |
| Lean and fretful; would seem wise, | |
| Yet plays the fool before she dies. | |
| ’T is an ugly envious shrew, | 10 |
| That rails at dear Lepell and you. | | | |
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