Her very notice some respect would cause,

And her esteem was honour and applause.

Men she avoided; not in childish fear,

As if she thought some savage foe was near;

Not as a prude, who hides that man should seek,

Or who by silence hints that they should speak;

But with discretion all the sex she view’d,

Ere yet engaged pursuing or pursued;

Ere love had made her to his vices blind,

Or hid the favourite’s failings from her mind.