On a Certain Lady at Court

I know a thing that's most uncommon;

  (Envy, be silent and attend!)

I know a reasonable Woman,

  Handsome and witty, yet a Friend.

Not warp'd by Passion, awed by Rumour;

  Not grave through Pride, nor gay through Folly,

An equal Mixture of good Humour

  And sensible soft Melancholy.

"Has she no faults then (Envy says), Sir?"

  Yes, she has one, I must aver;

When all the World conspires to praise her,

  The Woman's deaf, and does not hear.

Certain Lady: Mrs. Howard