Thus Kitty, beautiful and young, <br />And wild as colt untamed, <br />Bespoke the fair from whence she sprung, <br />With little rage inflamed. <br /> <br />Inflamed with rage at sad restraint <br />Which wise mamma ordain'd, <br />And sorely vex'd to play the saint <br />Whilst wit and beauty reign'd. <br /> <br />Shall I thumb holy books, confined <br />With Abigails, forsaken? <br />Kitty's for other things design'd, <br />Or I am much mistaken. <br /> <br />Must Lady Jenny frisk about, <br />And visit with her cousins? <br />At balls must she make all the rout, <br />And bring home hearts by dozens? <br /> <br />What has she better, pray, than I? <br />What hidden charms to boast, <br />That all mankind for her should die, <br />Whilst I am scarce a toast? <br /> <br />Dearest mamma, for once let me <br />Unchain'd my fortune try: <br />I'll have my earl as well as she, <br />Or know the reason why. <br /> <br />I'll soon with Jenny's pride quit score, <br />Make all her lovers fall: <br />They'll grieve I was not loosed before; <br />She I was loosed at all. <br /> <br />Fondness prevail'd, mamma gave way: <br />Kitty, at heart's desire, <br />Obtain'd the chariot for a day, <br />And set the world on fire.<br /><br />Matthew Prior<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-female-phaeton/
