A Gentleman's Request to the Author on Reading The Happy Husband and the Old Batchelor: Great Soul! and good! Unequal'd Poetrix! The Phoenix of your Age, Station and Sex! Resume the Quill; And let us see display'd The Happy Wife — And discontented Maid. So by your Strong persuasives you may win Virgins to fix their love on Virtuous Men. HER ANSWER. Your Compliments return'd, for I protest I truly think that you deserve them best, And to Obey Shou'd be my Humble aim, Only I fear 'twill prove a barren Theme: Most Men are now so viciously inclin'd That happy Wives are very hard to find; And as for discontented Maids I own, Any Such persons are to me unknown, Nor can persuasives be of any use, Virgins I think for Virtuous Men would chuse, Only there are so very few of late, Maids will grow old, if they for Such should wait. So Rev'rend Sir, I hope you will excuse The ignorance, And freedom of the Muse.