Petition to the Worshipful Free-Masons

TO THE WORSHIPFUL FREE-MASONS ,

Brothers ! — 'tis bold to interrupt your meeting,
But from the female world I wait you — greeting:

The ladies can advance a thousand reasons,
That make them hope to be received as Masons:
To keep a secret, — not one hint expressing,
To rein the tongue — O husbands, there's a blessing!
As virtue seems the Mason's sole foundation,
Why should the Fair be barr'd from — Installation?
If you suppose us weak, indeed you wrong us;
Historians, Sapphos too, you'll find among us;
Think — Brothers — think, and graciously admit us;
Doubt it not, Sirs, we'll gloriously acquit us:
How to be wiser, and more cautious, teach us,
Indeed 'tis time that your instructions reach us:
The faults of late, and every foul miscarriage,
Committed in the sphere of modern marriage,
Were caus'd (if I've a grain of penetration)
From each great lady's not being made a Mason.
Accept us then, to Brotherhood receive us,
And virtue, we're convinc'd, will never leave us.