Woman of Indiscretion

Proclaim thee a Lady? Oh, they of ignorant mind Neither good or bad, but human, this man Vexed of own passion, o' cunning love Keep'st eyes blinded of all thy own wisdom and trust Lest eyes well-seeing thy lady's foul faults shall find Thy woman of past indiscretion, hath scarlet ribboned veins Unknowing from whence cameth thou, she Fancy fleeting bird be now belied Wilt he never see her feathered locks, promiscuity?... How boldly foolish is his name! That on himself such murd'rous shame commits What haste and wile steals thy seasoned eye? Yea, who tamed the sea, yet drowns in thee? While wed to one, yet flys away Against tongued wrath, society Against cruel slander of thy fame Against the wind, self dignity Fancy fleeting bird wilt you, fly on scalded wings With scandal your offerings Till own death near, to die in shame 'tis worth the game? To shun the heaven that leads a man to hell? _____________________________________________ "Old English Scandal" Lady Hamilton