Thro' dreadful silence the pent heart might break;

Untaught to bear it, women talk away

To God himself, and fondly think they pray.

But sweet their accent, and their air refin'd;

For they're before their Maker—and mankind:

When ladies once are proud of praying well,

Satan himself will toll the parish bell.

Acquainted with the world, and quite well bred,

Drusa receives her visitants in bed;

But, chaste as ice, this Vesta, to defy