Classic Poem

Thou Cause and Subject, once of Wit, and Love!
Whose Love alone, cou'd Mens good Sense improve;
For, tho' our Love of other Women does,
Good Wits, and all their Good Parts, more expose
Our Love of you, but more our Reason shows;
Since Man, in you, can at the same time, find
The Pleasure of the Body, and the Mind;
Once, to your Shame, your Parts to all were shown,
But now, (tho' a more Public Woman grown,)
You gain more Reputation in the Town;
Grow Public, to your Honour, not your Shame,
As more Men now you please, gain much more Fame;
Who, for your Parts, got much more Praise before,
But, as your Pains, in bringing forth, were more;
But now, more Credit you from all Men gain,
As you bring forth, in Public, with less Pain,
Your easiest Off-springs of your Wanton Brain;
Barren Wits, envy your Head's Off-springs more,
Than Barren Women, did your Tail's before;
More Fame your now (since talk'd of more) acquire,
And as more Public, are more Mens Desire;
Nay, you the more, that you are Clap'd too, now,
Have more to like you, less to censure you;
Now Men enjoy your Parts for Half a Crown,
Which, for a Hundred Pound, they scarce had done,
Before your Parts were, to the Public known;
Whilst you, scorn Censure, as you did before,
More still, as more Men, now you please the more;
Thus, as your Beauty did, your Wit does now,
The Womens Envy, Mens Diversion grow;
Who, to be Clap'd, or Clap you, round you sit,
And, tho' they Sweat for it, will croud your Pit;
Since lately you Lay-In, (but as they say,)
Because, you had been Clap'd another Way;
But, if 'tis true, that you have need to Sweat,
Get, (if you can) at your New Play, a Seat.