Quote#World
Alas! a woman that attempts the pen
Quote byAnne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea · 1660–1720
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: "The Introduction" (1713).
English (original)
Alas! a woman that attempts the pen, Such an intruder on the rights of men, Such a presumptuous Creature, is esteem’d, The fault, can by no vertue be redeem’d.
— Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea
More from Anne Finch, Countess of Winchilsea
How are we fal’n, fal’n by mistaken rules, And Education’s more than Nature’s fools.
Judge not my passion by my want of skill: Many love well, though they express it ill; And I your censure cou’d with pleasure bear, Wou’d you but soon returne, and speake it here.
Did I my lines intend for publick view, How many censures wou’d their faults persue; ... True judges might condemn their want of witt, And all might say, they’re by a Woman writt.
They tell us we mistake our sex and way; Good breeding, fassion, dancing, dressing, play Are the accomplishments we shou’d desire; To write, or read, or think, or to enquire Wou’d cloud our beauty and exaust our time, And interrupt the …
This to the crown and blessing of my life, The much lov’d husband of a happy wife; To him whose constant passion found the art To win a stubborn and ungratefull heart, And to the world by tend’rest proof discovers, They err, who say that …
The King, the Priest, the Prophet, all are Thine, Nor wou’d ev’n God (in Flesh) thy Stroke decline.