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Laetitia’s Vindication

Their words conceal a mindless sloth

Those twisted words and smoke they blow
They hide behind their clergy cloth
Most men are bastards, that I know

They play their games of politics
That we should hear them when they crow
And pray out loud like Catholics
Most men are bastards, that I know

The one I married was a fool
Who sold my virtue to bestow
A sense of freedom that was cruel
Most men are bastards, that I know

Their words conceal a mindless sloth
Most men are bastards, that I know

 

 

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Author notes

Almost all men are bastards. This would seem to be the hypothesis of Laetitia Pilkington’s Memoirs, and not solely with reference to her rebarbative husband, Matthew. But he was the worst of a bad bunch. Matthew Pilkington, poet and clergyman, was also an Irish specimen of what Henry Fielding called “the modern husband”, in a comedy of that name. That is, Matthew sought to profit from his wife’s body by proxy, hoping that a rich friend would cuckold him, for a reasonable price – or, when Laetitia failed to succumb, that he could be rid of her by catching such a friend in the act of cuckolding him. Divorce would almost certainly favour the innocent, injured party.

Source: TimesOnLine

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A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 22 of 22

  • cricketjeff gold member
    April 18

    Edit | Reply
    Oh dear oh dear oh dear
    Amera and Jim, the two poets I rush to read fastest when they post. Form and fun or nonform and fun both with perfect meter and rhyme.

    I love this, You repeat lines so well and use it here to drive home the message, on poetry I cannot pick ...

    Great stuff, and I love that you looked up and went with Laetitia, she is worth anyone reading.

    Great stuff
    Jeff


  • Exit-Stage-Right
    April 18

    Edit | Reply
    I'm INNOCENT, I tell ya, INNOCENT!

    (but you needn't follow up with my wife )


  • PerVirtuous
    April 11

    Edit | Reply
    I don't remember her, but apparently she remembers me. This is quite a powerful sonnet, complete with the word bastard used exceptionally well. Very clever rhymes. Catholics, politics. Bravo. Have some bunnies.


  • amaranthine lover gold member
    April 8
    Edit | Reply
    somehow, I have to agree with you on the subject of your sonnet!


  • SummerlandRayne gold member
    April 8

    Edit | Reply

    I love the way this poem flows and reads. The repetition of the last line...and the content of said lines...leaves me enthralled and in awe of your ability to bring forth the subject of this memoir with such impact.  I must read this to be certain. You always leave me with such delicious food for thought...always a joy to visit your work.

     

     

    Love~

    Azlyn


  • Ariosto II. gold member
    April 8

    Edit | Reply
    Some ladies just seem destined to pick bad man.
    I don't think it' so much the nature of the sex as it is the choices made.

    As usual Amera
    this is a delight to read.

    keep us honest


  • Pure Thought silver member
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    Such an interesting bit of history, well written.
    Looks like from most comments It is still true today.
    Hmmm...


  • Auburn Sunrise gold member
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    Amazing. Love the form, the passion with which you penned it, and the wonderful information in the author's notes.

    You truly can write anything!


  • Wandika gold member
    April 7
    Edit | Reply

    Not all men are bastards

    A few of us are dogs.


  • Daizee silver member
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    As the women of the world join hands and unite.. hehe.. always interesting what lurks in your head girl


  • StarEyes
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    Sis,

    What a read this one is! But you do have a point in this one! That may be why I have so one ex husband, and one common law ex husband They both fit into this catagory quite well. I would like to think, my lost love, does not, but .......

    and my husband, well, still that debate is open.

    Great job on this one sis!

    Best of luck in this contest!

    and love

    Nyetta

  • Purrsanthema
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    What a ......... I think Laetitia in your poem had it right, at least in so far as her own husband's behavior shows. He must also have moved with an extremely repellent crowd. I love the fact that that line is the repeating one. what a nasty little piece of history! You turned it into a wonderful poem! Good luck in the contest!


  • Peripatetic gold member
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    Thank you for this introduction to a remarkable woman! She would probably agree with the adage that men act as they do for the same reason a dog [laves his testes] - because they can!


  • Denerica silver member
    April 7
    Edit | Reply
    Sometimes it just has to be said, or even written, well done again. Blessings.


  • maralisa silver member
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    oh a very powerfully true write of many men thank you for sharingmaralisa


  • The.poet.of.hearts
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    too strict and ironical
    how did you write.
    well, i personally liked it
    nice and different work
    keep writing

    by
    the poet of hearts and beautiful words


  • Swangrnv gold member
    April 7

    Edit | Reply

    OUCH!!

    I am today, ashamed to be a MAN.. I only like that word when I'm using onm someone else! l.o.l. a very well constructed piece, with that unmistakable presence of excellence you seem to be in abundance of..


  • Cup-a-Joe
    April 7
    Edit | Reply
    Computer ate my clappies.


  • Cup-a-Joe
    April 7

    Edit | Reply

    Amera,

    I must admit I am a man. But I hope that I am no-where in that's guys neighbourhood.
    Nice take on this.

    Joe


  • Mairi bheag gold member
    April 7
    Edit | Reply
    A counterblast to venality.


  • DesolatELifE
    April 7

    Edit | Reply
    All men are bastards, full stop. Even the good ones. I hate that truth tells me I'm male.. so degrading!

    Very nice flow to this poem. And I like what it says a Lot.
    'They hide behind their clergy cloth' - Now that is a good line.

1 - 22 of 22