The New Hampshire Gazette

The Importance of the Fair Sex.

O how high the rank in life of womankind!
Their own important hapless he
Who lives unconscious of their worth!
The fool of grosser sense, or airy libertine,
Who draws his judgment from the forward
Few, or yielding weak, and dares with
Impious tongue pronounce them all
The slaves of vanity, by passion ever led,
By flattery won.
Their frame like ours, but with ethereal
touch,
More delicately form'd,—The same their
souls,
More soft, more sensible, and more refin'd.
Each uncontaminated freedom owns,
And feels their virtues, polishers of life!
Sweeteners of savage care; who tune the
breast
To harmony, or prompt to glorious deeds,
And emulate to toil, to friendship's flame,
To gratitude how exquisitely true!
Who tender confidence repay with love,
Integrity unshaken, nor faith more pure,
Warms zealous loyalty: with honor clad,
As with a robe, and beauteous ornaments
Of unaffected modesty. Well skill'd
To form the growing soul, and in its young
And op'ning bud to fix the impression deep,
Of every generous thought which stimulates
The future man to love of parent, friends,
Offspring, and sacred Freedom.