To Britomart Musing

Classic throat and wrist and ear
Tempt a gallant to draw near;
Must romantic lip and eye
Make him falter, bid him fly?

If Camilla's upright lance
By the contrast did enhance
Charms of curving neck and waist,
Yet she never was embraced.

She was girt to take the field,
And her aventayle concealed
Half the grace that might have won
Homage from Evander's son.

Countess Montfort, clad in steel,
Showed she could both dare and feel;
Smiled to greet the champion ships,
Touched Sir Walter with the lips.

She could charm, although in dress
Like the sainted shepherdess,
Jeanne, a leader void of guile,
Jeanne, a woman all the while.

Damsel with the mind of man,
Lay not softness under ban;
For the glory of thy sex
Twine with myrtle manly necks.