Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

From the Charleston Times

To the Ladies of Charleston.

Ye Belles and ye Lasses and pert little things

Who trip in the frolicksome round

Prithee, tell me from whence this indecency springs,

The sexes at once to confound.

What means the cock'd hat and the masculine air

With each motion design'd to perplex!

Bright eyes were intended to languish, not stare,

And softness the test of your sex.

The girl who on beauty depends for support,

May call every art to her aid,

The bosom display'd and the petticoat short,

Are samples she gives of her trade ;

But you, on whom Fortune indulgently smiles

And whom Pride has preserv'd from the snares,

Should slyly attack us with coyness and wiles,

Not with open and insolent airs.

The Venus, whose statue delights all mankind,

Shrinks modestly back from the view.

And kindly should seem by the artist design'd,

To serve as a model for you ;

Then learn with her beauties to copy her air,

Nor venture too much to reveal,

Our fancies will paint what you cover with care,

And double each charm you conceal

The blushes of Morn. and the mildness of May,

Are charms which no art can procure

O! be but yourselves, and our homage we'll pay

And your empire is solid and pure :

And if, Amazon like, you attack your gallants,

And put us in fear of our lives,

You may do very well for Sisters and Aunts,

But, believe me, you'll never be Wives.

PRUDENCE.