The Ladies? Defence

How women in London by men are scorn?d,
Because here and there one is bad;
There?s nought but complaints now their husbands are horn?d,
But surely such men must mad,
To blame all the fair and the sex thus despise.
?Cause some have disgrac?d the marriage state;
?Tis hard on those dames that are prudent and wise,
And always true to their mate.

Some women are married, but this I will say,
May as well have no husband at all!
For they?re frisking often day after day.
And at night like a dog down they fall
Then up in the morning away they are off,
With neither good night nor good morrow.
?Tis often the ease, though perhaps you may laugh,
Thus her days and her nights are but sorrow.

Her friends and her neighbors she daily doth morn,
Till some spark soon discover her mind.
Then, with How d?ye do, madam? What always alone?
Why me thinks that your husband?s unkind.
Then in language most tender he raises a flame,
In her bosom she ne?er felt so charm?d,
Bu the husband?s neglect they pushes the whole game,
Pray who may he think that he?s horn?d.

Now this is the way most men get born?d,
?Tis a truth that ? ??.
Because the dear girl that?s at home they neglect,
For the sports of their pastime abroad,
So take my advice, ? security known,
Never leave the dear ? forlorn,
But be faithful and kind and good-natur?d at home,
And my life for?t you?ll ne?er wear they horn.