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The Woman’s Labour: To Mr. Stephen Duck

1 IMMORTAL Bard! thou Fav’rite of the Nine! Leave a comment on line 1 0
2 Enrich’d by Peers, advanc’d by Caroline! Leave a comment on line 2 0
3 Deign to look down on one that’s poor and low, Leave a comment on line 3 0
4 Remembring you yourself was lately so; Leave a comment on line 4 0
5 Accept these Lines: Alas! what can you have Leave a comment on line 5 0
6 From her, who ever was, and’s still a Slave? Leave a comment on line 6 0
7 No Learning ever was bestow’d on me; Leave a comment on line 7 0
8 My Life was always spent in Drudgery: Leave a comment on line 8 0
9 And not alone; alas! with Grief I find, Leave a comment on line 9 0
10 It is the Portion of poor Woman-kind. Leave a comment on line 10 0
11 Oft have I thought as on my Bed I lay, Leave a comment on line 11 0
12 Eas’d from the tiresome Labours of the Day, Leave a comment on line 12 0
13 Our first Extraction from a Mass refin’d, Leave a comment on line 13 0
14 Could never be for slavery design’d; Leave a comment on line 14 0
15 Till Time and Custom by Degrees destroy’d Leave a comment on line 15 0
16 That happy State our Sex at first enjoy’d. Leave a comment on line 16 0
17 When Men had us’d their utmost Care and Toil, Leave a comment on line 17 0
18 Their Recompence was but a Female Smile; Leave a comment on line 18 0
19 When they by Arts or Arms were render’d Great, Leave a comment on line 19 0
20 They laid their Trophies at a Woman’s Feet; Leave a comment on line 20 0
21 They, in those Days, unto our Sex did bring Leave a comment on line 21 0
22 Their Hearts, their All, a Free-will Offering; Leave a comment on line 22 0
23 And as from us their Being they derive, Leave a comment on line 23 0
24 They back again should all due Homage give. Leave a comment on line 24 0

25  JOVE once descending from the Clouds, did drop Leave a comment on line 25 0
26 In showers of Gold on lovely Danae’s Lap; Leave a comment on line 26 0
27 The sweet-tongu’d Poets, in those generous Days, Leave a comment on line 27 0
28 Unto our Shrine still offer’d up their Lays: Leave a comment on line 28 0
29 But now, alas! that Golden Age is past, Leave a comment on line 29 0
30 We are the Objects of your Scorn at last. Leave a comment on line 30 0
31 And you, great Duck, upon whose happy Brow Leave a comment on line 31 0
32 The Muses seem to fix their Garland now, Leave a comment on line 32 0
33 In your late Poem boldly did declare Leave a comment on line 33 0
34 Alcides’ Labours cant with yours compare; Leave a comment on line 34 0
35 And of your annual Task have much to say, Leave a comment on line 35 0
36 Of Threshing, Reaping, Mowing Corn and Hay; Leave a comment on line 36 0
37 Boasting your daily Toil, and nightly Dream, Leave a comment on line 37 0
38 But cant conclude your never-dying Theme, Leave a comment on line 38 0
39 And let our hapless Sex in Silence lie Leave a comment on line 39 0
40 Forgotten, and in dark Oblivion die; Leave a comment on line 40 0
41 But on our abject State you throw your Scorn, Leave a comment on line 41 0
42 And Women wrong, your Verses to adorn. Leave a comment on line 42 0
43 You of Hay-making speak a Word or two, Leave a comment on line 43 0
44 As if our Sex but little Work could do: Leave a comment on line 44 0
45 This makes the honest Farmer smiling say, Leave a comment on line 45 0
46 He’ll seek for Women still to make his Hay; Leave a comment on line 46 0
47 For if his Back be turn’d the Work they mind Leave a comment on line 47 0
48 As well as Men, as far as he can find. Leave a comment on line 48 0
49 For my own Part, I many a Summer’s Day Leave a comment on line 49 0
50 Have spent in throwing, turning, making Hay; Leave a comment on line 50 0
51 But ne’er could see, what you have lately found, Leave a comment on line 51 0
52 Our Wages paid for sitting on the Ground. Leave a comment on line 52 0
53 ’Tis true, that when our Morning’s Work is done, Leave a comment on line 53 0
54 And all our Grass expos’d unto the Sun, Leave a comment on line 54 0
55 While that his scorching Beams do on it shine, Leave a comment on line 55 0
56 As well as you we have a Time to dine: Leave a comment on line 56 0
57 I hope, that since we freely toil and sweat Leave a comment on line 57 0
58 To earn our Bread, you’ll give us Time to eat; Leave a comment on line 58 0
59 That over, soon we must get up again, Leave a comment on line 59 0
60 And nimbly turn our Hay upon the plain: Leave a comment on line 60 0
61 Nay, rake and row it in, the Case is clear; Leave a comment on line 61 0
62 Or how should Cocks in equal Rows appear? Leave a comment on line 62 0
63 But if you’d have what you have wrote believ’d, Leave a comment on line 63 0
64 I find, that you to hear us talk are griev’d: Leave a comment on line 64 0
65 In this, I hope, you do not speak your Mind, Leave a comment on line 65 0
66 For none but Turks, that ever I could find, Leave a comment on line 66 0
67 Have Mutes to serve them, or did e’er deny Leave a comment on line 67 0
68 Their Slaves, at Work, to chat it merrily. Leave a comment on line 68 0
69 Since you have Liberty to speak your Mind, Leave a comment on line 69 0
70 And are to talk, as well as we, inclin’d, Leave a comment on line 70 0
71 Why should you thus repine, because that we, Leave a comment on line 71 0
72 Like you, enjoy that pleasing Liberty? Leave a comment on line 72 0
73 What! would you Lord it quite, and take away Leave a comment on line 73 0
74 The only Privilege our Sex enjoy? Leave a comment on line 74 0
75 When Ev’ning does approach, we homeward hie, Leave a comment on line 75 0
76 And our domestick Toils incessant ply: Leave a comment on line 76 0
77 Against your coming Home prepare to get Leave a comment on line 77 0
78 Our Work all done, Our House in order set; Leave a comment on line 78 0
79 Bacon and Dumpling in the Pot we boil, Leave a comment on line 79 0
80 Our Beds we make, our Swine we feed the while; Leave a comment on line 80 0
81 Then wait at Door to see you coming Home, Leave a comment on line 81 0
82 And set the Table out against you come: Leave a comment on line 82 0
83 Early next Morning we on you attend, Leave a comment on line 83 0
84 Our Children dress and feed, their Cloaths we mend Leave a comment on line 84 0
85 And in the Field our daily Task renew, Leave a comment on line 85 0
86 Soon as the rising Sun has dry’d the Dew. Leave a comment on line 86 0
87 When Harvest comes, into the Field we go, Leave a comment on line 87 0
88 And help to reap the Wheat as well as you; Leave a comment on line 88 0
89 Or else we go the Ears of Corn to glean; Leave a comment on line 89 0
90 No Labour scorning, be it e’er so mean; Leave a comment on line 90 0
91 But in the Work we freely bear a Part, Leave a comment on line 91 0
92 And what we can, perform with all our Heart. Leave a comment on line 92 0
93 To get a Living we so willing are, Leave a comment on line 93 0
94 Our tender Babes unto the Field we bear, Leave a comment on line 94 0
95 And wrap them in our Cloaths to keep them warm, Leave a comment on line 95 0
96 While round about we gather up the Corn; Leave a comment on line 96 0
97 And often unto them our Course do bend, Leave a comment on line 97 0
98 To keep them save, that nothing them offend: Leave a comment on line 98 0
99 Our Children that are able bear a share, Leave a comment on line 99 0
100 In gleaning Corn, such is our frugal Care. Leave a comment on line 100 0
101 When Night comes on, unto our Home we go, Leave a comment on line 101 0
102 Our Corn we carry, and our Infant too; Leave a comment on line 102 0
103 Weary indeed! but ’tis not worth our while Leave a comment on line 103 0
104 Once to complain, or rest at ev’ry Stile; Leave a comment on line 104 0
105 We must make haste, for when we home are come, Leave a comment on line 105 0
106 We find again our Work but just begun: Leave a comment on line 106 0
107 So many Things for our Attendance call, Leave a comment on line 107 0
108 Had we ten Hands, we could employ them all. Leave a comment on line 108 0
109 Our Children put to Bed, with greatest Care Leave a comment on line 109 0
110 We all Things for your coming home prepare: Leave a comment on line 110 0
111 You sup, and go to Bed without Delay, Leave a comment on line 111 0
112 And rest yourselves till the ensuing Day; Leave a comment on line 112 0
113 While we, alas! but little Sleep can have, Leave a comment on line 113 0
114 Because our froward Children cry and rave; Leave a comment on line 114 0
115 Yet, without fail, soon as Day-light doth spring, Leave a comment on line 115 0
116 We in the Field again our work begin, Leave a comment on line 116 0
117 And there, with all our Strength, our Toil renew, Leave a comment on line 117 0
118 Till Titan’s golden Rays have dry’d the Dew; Leave a comment on line 118 0
119 Then home we go unto our Children dear, Leave a comment on line 119 0
120 Dress, feed, and bring them to the Field with Care. Leave a comment on line 120 0
121 Were this your Case, you justly might complain Leave a comment on line 121 0
122 That Day nor Night you are secure from Pain; Leave a comment on line 122 0
123 Those mighty Troubles which perplex your Mind, Leave a comment on line 123 0
124 (Thistles before, and Females come behind) Leave a comment on line 124 0
125 Would vanish soon, and quickly disappear, Leave a comment on line 125 0
126 Were you, like us, encumber’d thus with Care. Leave a comment on line 126 0
127 What you would have of us we do not know: Leave a comment on line 127 0
128 We oft take up the Corn that you do mow; Leave a comment on line 128 0
129 We cut the Peas, and always ready are Leave a comment on line 129 0
130 In every Work to take our proper Share; Leave a comment on line 130 0
131 And from the Time that Harvest doth begin, Leave a comment on line 131 0
132 Until the Corn be cut and carry’d in, Leave a comment on line 132 0
133 Our Toil and Labour’s daily so extreme, Leave a comment on line 133 0
134 That we have hardly ever Time to Dream. Leave a comment on line 134 0
135 The Harvest ended, Respite none we find; Leave a comment on line 135 0
136 The hardest of our Toil is still behind: Leave a comment on line 136 0
137 Hard Labour we most chearfully pursue, Leave a comment on line 137 0
138 And out, abroad, a Chairing often go: Leave a comment on line 138 0
139 Of which I now will briefly tell in part, Leave a comment on line 139 0
140 What fully to describe is past my Art; Leave a comment on line 140 0
141 So many Hardships daily we go through, Leave a comment on line 141 0
142 I boldly say, the like you never knew. Leave a comment on line 142 0
143 When bright Orion glitters in the Skies Leave a comment on line 143 0
144 In Winter Nights, then early we must rise; Leave a comment on line 144 0
145 The Weather ne’er so bad, Wind, Rain, or Snow, Leave a comment on line 145 0
146 Our Work appointed, we must rise and go; Leave a comment on line 146 0
147 While you on easy Beds may lie and sleep, Leave a comment on line 147 0
148 Till Light does thro’ your Chamber Windows peep Leave a comment on line 148 0
149 When to the House we come where we should go, Leave a comment on line 149 0
150 How to get in, alas! we do not know: Leave a comment on line 150 0
151 The Maid quite tir’d with Work the day before, Leave a comment on line 151 0
152 O’ercome with Sleep; we standing at the Door Leave a comment on line 152 0
153 Oppress’d with Cold, and often call in vain, Leave a comment on line 153 0
154 E’er to our Work we can admittance gain: Leave a comment on line 154 0
155 But when from Wind and Weather we get in, Leave a comment on line 155 0
156 Briskly with Courage we our Work begin; Leave a comment on line 156 0
157 Heaps of fine Linnen we before us view, Leave a comment on line 157 0
158 Whereon to lay our Strength and Patience too; Leave a comment on line 158 0
159 Cambricks and Muslins which our Ladies wear, Leave a comment on line 159 0
160 Laces and Edgings, costly, fine, and rare, Leave a comment on line 160 0
161 Which must be wash’d with utmost Skill and Care; Leave a comment on line 161 0
162 With Holland Shirts, Ruffles and Fringes too, Leave a comment on line 162 0
163 Fashions, which our Fore-fathers never knew. Leave a comment on line 163 0
164 For several Hours here we work and slave, Leave a comment on line 164 0
165 Before we can one Glimpse of Day-light have; Leave a comment on line 165 0
166 We labour hard before the Morning’s past, Leave a comment on line 166 0
167 Because we fear the Time runs on too fast. Leave a comment on line 167 0
168 At length bright Sol illuminates the Skies, Leave a comment on line 168 0
169 And summons drowsy Mortals to arise; Leave a comment on line 169 0
170 Then comes our Mistress to us without fail, Leave a comment on line 170 0
171 And in her Hand, perhaps, a Mug of Ale Leave a comment on line 171 0
172 To cheer our Hearts, and also to inform Leave a comment on line 172 0
173 Herself what Work is done that very Morn; Leave a comment on line 173 0
174 Lays her Commands upon us, that we mind Leave a comment on line 174 0
175 Her Linnen well, nor leave the Dirt behind: Leave a comment on line 175 0
176 Nor this alone, but also to take Care Leave a comment on line 176 0
177 We don’t her Cambricks nor her Ruffles tear; Leave a comment on line 177 0
178 And these most strictly does of us require, Leave a comment on line 178 0
179 To save her Soap, and sparing be of Fire; Leave a comment on line 179 0
180 Tells us her Charge is great, nay furthermore, Leave a comment on line 180 0
181 Her Cloaths are fewer than the Time before: Leave a comment on line 181 0
182 Now we drive on, resolv’d our Strength to try, Leave a comment on line 182 0
183 And what we can we do most willingly; Leave a comment on line 183 0
184 Untill with Heat and Work, ’tis often known, Leave a comment on line 184 0
185 Not only Sweat, but Blood runs trickling down Leave a comment on line 185 0
186 Our Wrists and Fingers; still our Work demands Leave a comment on line 186 0
187 The constant Action of our lab’ring Hands. Leave a comment on line 187 0
188 Now Night comes on, from whence you have Relief, Leave a comment on line 188 0
189 But that, alas! does but increase our Grief; Leave a comment on line 189 0
190 With heavy Hearts we often view the Sun, Leave a comment on line 190 0
191 Fearing he’ll set before our Work is done; Leave a comment on line 191 0
192 For either in the Morning, or at Night, Leave a comment on line 192 0
193 We peice the Summers Day with Candle-light. Leave a comment on line 193 0
194 Tho’ we all Day with Care our Work attend, Leave a comment on line 194 0
195 Such is our Fate, we know not when ’twill end: Leave a comment on line 195 0
196 When Evening’s come, you homeward take your Way, Leave a comment on line 196 0
197 We, till our Work is done, are forc’d to stay; Leave a comment on line 197 0
198 And after all our Toil and Labour past, Leave a comment on line 198 0
199 Six-pence or Eight-pence pays us off at last; Leave a comment on line 199 0
200 For all our Pains, no Prospect can we see Leave a comment on line 200 0
201 Attend us, but Old Age and Poverty. Leave a comment on line 201 0
202 The Washing is not all we have to do: Leave a comment on line 202 0
203 We oft change Work for Work as well as you. Leave a comment on line 203 0
204 Our Mistress of her Pewter doth complain, Leave a comment on line 204 0
205 And ’tis our part to make it clean again. Leave a comment on line 205 0
206 This Work, tho very hard and tiresome too, Leave a comment on line 206 0
207 Is not the worst we hapless Females do: Leave a comment on line 207 0
208 When Night comes on, and we quite weary are, Leave a comment on line 208 0
209 We scarce can count what falls unto our Share; Leave a comment on line 209 0
210 Pots, Kettles, Sauce-pans, Skillets, we may see, Leave a comment on line 210 0
211 Skimmers, and Ladles, and such Trumpery, Leave a comment on line 211 0
212 Brought in to make compleat our Slavery. Leave a comment on line 212 0
213 Tho’ early in the Morning ’tis begun, Leave a comment on line 213 0
214 ’Tis often very late before we’ve done; Leave a comment on line 214 0
215 Alas! our Labours never know no End, Leave a comment on line 215 0
216 On Brass and Iron we our Strength must spend; Leave a comment on line 216 0
217 Our tender Hands and Fingers scratch and tear: Leave a comment on line 217 0
218 All this, and more, with Patience we must bear, Leave a comment on line 218 0
219 Colour’d with Dirt and Filth we now appear; Leave a comment on line 219 0
220 Your threshing sooty Peas will not come near. Leave a comment on line 220 0
221 All the Perfections Woman once could boast, Leave a comment on line 221 0
222 Are quite obscur’d, and altogether lost. Leave a comment on line 222 0
223 Once more our Mistress sends to let us know Leave a comment on line 223 0
224 She wants our Help, because the Beer runs low: Leave a comment on line 224 0
225 Then in much haste for Brewing we prepare, Leave a comment on line 225 0
226 The Vessels clean, and scald with greatest Care; Leave a comment on line 226 0
227 Often at Midnight from our Bed we rise Leave a comment on line 227 0
228 At other Times ev’n that will not suffice; Leave a comment on line 228 0
229 Our Work at Ev’ning oft we do begin, Leave a comment on line 229 0
230 And e’er we’ve done, the Night comes on again. Leave a comment on line 230 0
231 Water we pump, the Copper we must fill, Leave a comment on line 231 0
232 Or tend the Fire; for if we e’er stand still, Leave a comment on line 232 0
233 Like you, when Threshing, we a Watch must keep, Leave a comment on line 233 0
234 Our Wort boils over, if we dare to sleep. Leave a comment on line 234 0
235 But to rehearse all Labour is in vain, Leave a comment on line 235 0
236 Of which we very justly might complain: Leave a comment on line 236 0
237 For us, you see, but little Rest is found; Leave a comment on line 237 0
238 Our Toil increases as the Year runs round, Leave a comment on line 238 0
239 While you to Sysiphus yourselves compare, Leave a comment on line 239 0
240 With Danaus’ daughters we may claim a Share; Leave a comment on line 240 0
241 For while he labours hard against the Hill, Leave a comment on line 241 0
242 Bottomless Tubs of Water they must fill. Leave a comment on line 242 0
243 So the industrious Bees do hourly strive Leave a comment on line 243 0
244 To bring their Loads of Honey to the Hive; Leave a comment on line 244 0
245 Their fordid Owners always reap the Gains, Leave a comment on line 245 0
246 And poorly recompense their Toil and Pains. Leave a comment on line 246 0

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Source: https://c18.sunygeneseoenglish.org/the-womans-labour-to-mr-stephen-duck/