Social Commentaries
The Female Phaeton
From Lyra Elegantiarum, ed. Frederick Locker (London: E. Moxon, 1867)
Thus Kitty, beautiful and young.
And wild as colt untamed.
Bespoke the fair from whence she sprung
With little rage inflamed:
Inflamed with rage at sad restraint,
Which wise mamma ordain'd.
And sorely vex'd to play the saint,
Whilst wit and beauty reign'd.
"Shall I thumb holy books, confined
With Abigails, forsaken?
Kitty's for other things design'd,
Or I am much mistaken.
Must Lady Jenny frisk about,
And visit with her cousins?
At balls must she make all the rout,
And bring home hearts by dozens?
What has she better, pray, than I?
What hidden charms to boast,
That all mankind for her should die.
Whilst I am scarce a toast?
Dearest mamma, for once let me,
Unchain'd, my fortune try;
I'll have my Earl as well as she,
Or know the reason why.
I'll soon with Jenny's pride quit score,
Make all her lovers fall:
They'll grieve I was not loosed before:
She, I was loosed at all!"
Fondness prevail'd, — mamma gave way:
Kitty, at heart's desire,
Obtain'd the chariot for a day,
And set the world on fire.
Cite this poem
MLA
Prior, Matthew. “The Female Phaeton.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/prior/44/.
Chicago
Prior, Matthew. “The Female Phaeton.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/prior/44/.
Read this poem with the Codex →