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Poem
October 4, 1770
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
The Maid's Prayer is a poetic litany in which a woman beseeches deliverance from various flawed suitors—libertines, hypocrites, cowards, fops—and requests an ideal partner: virtuous, pious, educated, with a compatible temperament and disposition.
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OCR Quality
96%
Excellent
Full Text
The MAID's PRAYER.
From a profane libertine, from one affectedly pious, from a profuse almsgiver, from an uncharitable wretch, from a wavering religion, and an injudicious zealot: Deliver me!
From one of a starch'd gravity, or of a ridiculous levity, from an ambitious statesman, from a restless projector, from one that loves any thing besides me, but what is very just and honourable: Deliver me!
From an ecstasy'd poet, from a modern wit, from a base coward, from a rash fool, and from a proud and a pauper: Deliver me.
From a Venus darling, from a Bacchus proselyte, from a travelling fop, from a domestic animal, from all masculine plagues not yet recounted: Deliver me. -But
Give me one whose love has more of judgment than passion, who is master of himself, or at least an indefatigable scholar in such a study; who has an equal flame, a parallel inclination, a temper and soul so like mine, that as two tallies we may appear more perfect by union.
Give me one of as genteel an education as a little expense of time will permit, with an indifferent fortune, rather independent of the servile state of palaces, and yet one whose retirement is not so much from the public as into himself; one (if possible) above flattery and affronts, and yet as careful in preventing the injury as able to repair it;
one, the beauty of whose mind exceeds that of his face, yet not deformed so as to be distinguishable from others even unto ridicule.
Give me one that has learned to live much in a little time, one that is no great familiar in converse with the world, nor no little one with himself; one (if two such happinesses may be granted at one time to our sex) who, with the uncommon endowments of mind, may naturally have a sweet, mild, easy disposition; or at least one who, by his practice and frequent habit, has made himself so before he is made mine; but as the master perfection, and chiefest draught,
let him be truly virtuous and pious; that is to say, let me be truly happy in my choice.
From a profane libertine, from one affectedly pious, from a profuse almsgiver, from an uncharitable wretch, from a wavering religion, and an injudicious zealot: Deliver me!
From one of a starch'd gravity, or of a ridiculous levity, from an ambitious statesman, from a restless projector, from one that loves any thing besides me, but what is very just and honourable: Deliver me!
From an ecstasy'd poet, from a modern wit, from a base coward, from a rash fool, and from a proud and a pauper: Deliver me.
From a Venus darling, from a Bacchus proselyte, from a travelling fop, from a domestic animal, from all masculine plagues not yet recounted: Deliver me. -But
Give me one whose love has more of judgment than passion, who is master of himself, or at least an indefatigable scholar in such a study; who has an equal flame, a parallel inclination, a temper and soul so like mine, that as two tallies we may appear more perfect by union.
Give me one of as genteel an education as a little expense of time will permit, with an indifferent fortune, rather independent of the servile state of palaces, and yet one whose retirement is not so much from the public as into himself; one (if possible) above flattery and affronts, and yet as careful in preventing the injury as able to repair it;
one, the beauty of whose mind exceeds that of his face, yet not deformed so as to be distinguishable from others even unto ridicule.
Give me one that has learned to live much in a little time, one that is no great familiar in converse with the world, nor no little one with himself; one (if two such happinesses may be granted at one time to our sex) who, with the uncommon endowments of mind, may naturally have a sweet, mild, easy disposition; or at least one who, by his practice and frequent habit, has made himself so before he is made mine; but as the master perfection, and chiefest draught,
let him be truly virtuous and pious; that is to say, let me be truly happy in my choice.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Moral Virtue
Marriage Celebration
What keywords are associated?
Maids Prayer
Deliver Me
Ideal Husband
Virtuous Mate
Bad Suitors
Pious Choice
Marriage Litany
Poem Details
Title
The Maid's Prayer.
Subject
Prayer For Deliverance From Bad Suitors And For An Ideal Husband
Key Lines
From A Profane Libertine, From One Affectedly Pious, From A Profuse Almsgiver, From An Uncharitable Wretch, From A Wavering Religion, And An Injudicious Zealot: Deliver Me!
Give Me One Whose Love Has More Of Judgment Than Passion, Who Is Master Of Himself, Or At Least An Indefatigable Scholar In Such A Study; Who Has An Equal Flame, A Parallel Inclination, A Temper And Soul So Like Mine, That As Two Tallies We May Appear More Perfect By Union.
Let Him Be Truly Virtuous And Pious; That Is To Say, Let Me Be Truly Happy In My Choice.