PROLOGUE.
7
That drove her foes with slaughter from her walls,
And much I prais'd her nobleness, and 'Where,'
Ask'd Walter, 'lives there such a woman now?'
And much I prais'd her nobleness, and 'Where,'
Ask'd Walter, 'lives there such a woman now?'
Quick answered Lilia 'There are thousands now
Such women, but convention beats them down:
It is but bringing up; no more than that:
You men have done it: how I hate you all!
O were I some great Princess, I would build
Far off from men a college of my own,
And I would teach them all things: you should see.'
Such women, but convention beats them down:
It is but bringing up; no more than that:
You men have done it: how I hate you all!
O were I some great Princess, I would build
Far off from men a college of my own,
And I would teach them all things: you should see.'
And one said smiling 'Pretty were the sight
If our old halls could change their sex, and flaunt
With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans,
And sweet girl-graduates in their golden hair.
I think they should not wear our rusty gowns,
But move as rich as emperor moths, or Ralph
Who shines so in the corner; yet I fear,
If there were many Lilias in the brood,
If our old halls could change their sex, and flaunt
With prudes for proctors, dowagers for deans,
And sweet girl-graduates in their golden hair.
I think they should not wear our rusty gowns,
But move as rich as emperor moths, or Ralph
Who shines so in the corner; yet I fear,
If there were many Lilias in the brood,
