Joseph Addison on Women
1672–1719 England
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6 quotes
When a man becomes familiar with his goddess, she quickly sinks into a woman.
Loveliest of women! heaven is in thy soul,
Beauty and virtue shine forever round thee,
Bright'ning each other! thou art all divine!
Cato, A Tragedy (1713)
The glowing dames of Zama's royal court
Have faces finsh'd with more exalted charms.
Where love once pleads admission to our hearts,
In spite of all the virtue we can boast,
The woman that deliberates is lost.
Sure, Nature form'd me of her softest mould,
Enfeebled all my soul with tender passions,
And sunk me ev'n below my own weak sex:
Pity and love, by turns, oppress my heart.
At length I've acted my severest part!
I feel the woman breaking in upon me,
And melt about my heart: my tears will flow.