The Bas Bleu (1786) [ People / Practices ]
… Greece, I mean to ope my slender piece; The rare Symposium to proclaim Which crown'd th' Athenians' social name; Or how Aspasia's parties shone, The first Bas-bleu at Athens known; Where SOCRATES unbending sat, With ALCIBIADES in chat; And … her self-inflicted trial. Day lab'rors! what an easy life, To feed ten children and a wife! No--I my juster pity spare To the night lab'rer's keener care; And, pleas'd, to gentler scenes retreat, Where Conversation holds her seat. … or science, Still kindred souls demand alliance; Each in the other joys to find The image answering to his mind. But sparks electric only strike On souls electrical alike; The flash of intellect expires, Unless it meet congenial fires: …
Bluestockings | Women | Greece
Anthology