For if you all were SOLOMONS, 195 And wise and great as he was once, You'll find they're able to subdue (As they did him) and baffle you. And if you are impos'd upon 'Tis by your own temptation done, 200 That with your ignorance invite; And teach us how to use the slight. For when we find y' are still more taken With false attracts of our own making; Swear that's a rose, and that a stone, 205 Like sots, to us that laid it on, And what we did but slightly prime, Most ignorantly daub in rhime; You force us, in our own defences, To copy beams and influences; 210 To lay perfections on the graces, And draw attracts upon our faces; And, in compliance to your wit, Your own false jewels counterfeit. For, by the practice of those arts 215 We gain a greater share of hearts; And those deserve in reason most That greatest pains and study cost; For great perfections are, like heaven, Too rich a present to be given. 220 Nor are these master-strokes of beauty To be perform'd without hard duty, Which, when they're nobly done and well, The simple natural excell. How fair and sweet the planted rose 225 Beyond the wild in hedges grows! For without art the noblest seeds Of flow'rs degen'rate into weeds. How dull and rugged, e're 'tis ground And polish'd, looks a diamond! 230 Though Paradise were e'er so fair, It was not kept so without care. The whole world, without art and dress, Would be but one great wilderness; And mankind but a savage herd, 235 For all that nature has conferr'd. This does but rough-hew, and design; Leaves art to polish and refine. Though women first were made for men, Yet men were made for them agen; 240 For when (outwitted by his wife) Man first turn'd tenant but for life, If women had not interven'd, How soon had mankind had an end! And that it is in being yet, 245 To us alone you are in debt. And where's your liberty of choice, And our unnatural No Voice? Since all the privilege you boast, And falsly usurp'd, or vainly lost, 250 Is now our right; to whose creation You owe your happy restoration: And if we had not weighty cause To not appear, in making laws, We could, in spite of all your tricks, 255 And shallow, formal politicks, Force you our managements t' obey, As we to yours (in shew) give way. Hence 'tis that, while you vainly strive T' advance your high prerogative, 260 You basely, after all your braves, Submit, and own yourselves our slaves; And 'cause we do not make it known, Nor publickly our int'rest own, Like sots, suppose we have no shares 265 In ord'ring you and your affairs; When all your empire and command