Mary Wortley Montagu Quotes

Satire should, like a polished razor keen,
Wound with a touch that's scarcely felt or seen.

Though I never get possession, ’Tis a pleasure to adore;
Hope, the wretch’s only blessing, May, in time, procure me more.Constant courtship may obtain her, Where both wealth and merit fail;
And the lucky minute gain her— Fate and fancy must prevail.At Diana’s shrine, aloud, By the bow and by the quiver,
Thrice she bowed, and thrice she vowed, Once to love—and that forever.

Good madam, when ladies are willing, A man must needs look like a fool;
For me I would not give a shilling For one who would love out of rule.You should leave us to guess by your blushing, And not speak the matter so plain;
’Tis our’s to write and be pushing, ’Tis yours to affect disdain.That you’re in a terrible taking, By all these sweet oglings I see,
But the fruit that can fall without shaking, Indeed is too mellow for me.

Cease, fond shepherd! Cease desiring What you never must enjoy;
She derides your vain aspiring, She, to all your sex is coy.Cunning Damon once pursued her, Yet she never would incline;
Strephon too, as vainly wooed her, Though his flocks are more than thine.At Diana’s shrine, aloud, By the zone around her waist,
Thrice she bowed, and thrice she vowed, Like the Goddess, to be chaste.

But the fruit that can fall without shaking
Indeed is too mellow for me.

Let this great maxim be my virtue’s guide,—
In part she is to blame that has been tried:
He comes too near that comes to be denied.

Thou silver deity of secret night, Direct my footsteps through the woodland shade;
Thou conscious witness of unknown delight, The Lover’s guardian, and the Muse’s aid!By thy pale beams I solitary rove, To thee my tender grief confide;
Serenely sweet you gild the silent grove, My friend, my goddess, and my guide.E’en thee, fair queen, from thy amazing height, The charms of young Endymion drew;
Veil’d with the mantle of concealing night; With all thy greatness and thy coldness too.

Be plain in dress, and sober in your diet;
In short, my deary, kiss me, and be quiet.