In Praise of Woman. A Copy of Verses sent, to Cynthia, from Passamaquoddy (an Indian Harbour in the Bay of…

Rise mighty Seraph, breathe Seraphic Lays, Rise Heav'nly Muse, and sing fair Woman's Praise. I ought to have an Angel's Muse and Mind, To sing and speak of charming Womankind: Wou'd Heav'n that I cou'd sing like one of Those, (And had such Laurel wreath'd around my Brows) Like Those who live above i'th' Blest Abode, And in full Choire praise their Almighty God; Arch-Angels, Angels, Seraphs and Cherubims To their Creator chant harmonious Hymns, And sacred Hallelujahs. Inspir'd begin, begin my Muse and treat Of Womankind, your Subject's Good and Great. When God Almighty his great Work had done, And all Things made excepting Eve alone, Except fair Eve, except that charming Fair, Whose Make alone was God's peculiar Care, Then our Great God our Father Adam plac'd In Paradise, which was with all things grac'd; He gave him Paradise, fair Eden's Land, All the Creation was at his COMMAND: Beast, Fish and Fowl they did await his Call, And he triumphant LORDED over all. Yet Adam's not content:—he is alone; He begs of his Great God to give him one That's like himself:—God hearkens to his Pray'r, And gives him one to Admiration fair, A charming Woman! which he no sooner spie's But he's led Captive by her conq'ring Eyes: Sraitway he bow's, kneel's down, and do's adore Her sacred Charms;—all Eden's Joys before Scarcely cou'd please;—Eve was his only Bliss, Twas Eve alone was all his PARADISE.