Why thus perplex us poor sons of a day?

Thy frowns cannot fear me, thy smiles cannot cheer me,

Since the flowers of the forest are a’ wede away.

MARY MASTERS

c. 1733

62. To One who Questioned her being the Author of some Verses

Search but those strains, you think so much excel,

Scan ev’ry verse, and try the numbers well:

You’ll plainly see, in almost ev’ry line,

Distinguishing defects to prove them mine.