Opening
[Transcriber's Note: The illustration references are explained at the end of this file.]
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An Elegy
on the Glory of Her Sex
MRS. MARY BLAIZE
by
Dr. Oliver Goldsmith
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Good people all, with one accord, Lament for Madam Blaize, Who never wanted a good word--
From those
who spoke her praise.
The needy seldom pass'd her door, And always found her kind; She freely lent to all the poor--
Who left
a pledge behind.
She strove the neighbourhood to please With manners wondrous winning;
And never follow'd wicked ways--
Unless when she was sinning.
At church, in silks and satins new, With hoop of monstrous size, She never slumber'd in her pew--
But when she shut her eyes.
Her love was sought, I do aver, By twenty beaux and more; The King himself has follow'd her--
When she has walk'd before.
But now, her wealth and finery fled, Her hangers-on cut short-all: The Doctors found, when she was dead Her last disorder mortal.
Let us lament, in sorrow sore, For Kent Street well may say, That had she lived a twelvemonth more,-- She had not died to-day.
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Book 4
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