On a Certain Lady at Court

I know a thing that's most uncommon;   (Envy, be silent and attend!)I know a reasonable Woman,   Handsome and witty, yet a Friend.

Not warp'd by Passion, awed by Rumour;   Not grave through Pride, nor gay through Folly,

An equal Mixture of good Humour   And sensible soft Melancholy."Has she no faults then (Envy says),

Sir?"   Yes, she has one,

I must aver;

When all the World conspires to praise her,   The Woman's deaf, and does not hear.

Certain Lady:

Mrs.

Howard