ThereClidamant, whose proper name my verse,
          Prom high respect, refuses to rehearse,
          Lived much at ease:  not one a wife had got,
          Throughout the realm, who was so nice a lot,
          Her virtues, temper, and seraphick charms,
          Should have secured the husband to her arms;
          But he was not to constancy inclined;
          The devil’s crafty; snares has often twined
          Around and round, with ev’ry subtle art,
          When love of novelty he would impart.

          Thelady had a maid, whose form and size,
          Height, easy manners, action, lips, and eyes,
          Were thought to be so very like her own,
          That one from t’other scarcely could be known;
          The mistress was the prettiest of the two;
          But, in a mask where much escapes the view,
          ’Twas very difficult a choice to make,
          And feel no doubts which better ’twere to take.

          TheMarseillesian husband, rather gay,
          With mistress Alice was disposed to play;
          (For such was called the maid we just have named;)
          To show coquettish airs the latter aimed,
          And met his wishes with reproof severe;
          But to his plan the lover would adhere,
          And promised her at length a pretty sum: 
          A hundred crowns, if to his room she’d come. 
          To pay the girl with kindness such as this,
          In my opinion, was not much amiss. 
          At that rate what should be the mistress’ price? 
          Perhaps still less:  she might not be so nice. 
          But I mistake; the lady was so coy,
          No spark, whatever art he could employ,
          How cleverly soe’er he laid the snare,
          Would have succeeded, spite of ev’ry care. 
          Nor presents nor attentions would have swayed;
          Should I have mentioned presents as an aid? 
          Alas! no longer these are days of old! 
          By Love both nymph and shepherdess are sold;
          He sets the price of many beauties rare;
          This was a god;—­now nothing but a mayor.

          O altered times!  O customs how depraved! 
          At first fair Alice frowardly behaved;
          But in the sequel ’gan to change her way,
          And said, her mistress, as the foll’wing day,
          A certain remedy to take designed;
          That, in the morning then, if so inclined,
          They could at leisure in the cavern meet;—­
          The plan was pleasing:  all appeared discreet.

          Theservant, having to her mistress said,
          What projects were in view:  what nets were spread;
          The females, ’tween themselves, a plot contrived,
          Of Quid pro quo, against the hour arrived. 
          The husband of the trick was ne’er aware,
          So much the mistress had her servant’s air;
          But if he had, what then? no harm of course;
          She might have lectured him with double force.