Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PRUDERY by ALEXANDER POPE

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHAT IS PRUDERY? 'TIS A BELDAM
Last Line: THAT RAILS AT DEAR LEPEL AND YOU.
Subject(s): PRUDISHNESS;

ANSWER TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTION OF MRS. HOWE

WHAT is Prudery? 'Tis a beldam,
Seen with wit and beauty seldom.
'Tis a fear that starts at shadows.
'Tis (no 't isn't) like Miss Meadows.
'Tis a virgin hard of feature,
Old, and void of all good-nature;
Lean and fretful; would seem wise;
Yet plays the fool before she dies:
'Tis an ugly envious shrew
That rails at dear Lepel and you.



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