| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 994. Philomel to Corydon |
| | | By William Young |
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| SHEPHERD, wilt thou take counsel of the bird | |
| That oft hath hearkened, from this leafy lair, | |
| To love’s entreaty, and the parting word?— | |
| Sue not so humbly to the haughty fair. | |
| Pipe in her praise upon thine oaten straw, | 5 |
| And pipe the louder when she says thee nay; | |
| Swear that her lightest wish to thee is law, | |
| But break the law twice twenty times a day. | |
| Trust not to argument, or thou ’rt undone; | |
| But calmly, gently, when she doth protest | 10 |
| Her course is East, impel her to the West; | |
| Approve her way, but lead her in thine own. | |
| For learn, fond youth, wouldst thou escape disaster, | |
| That woman likes a slave—but loves a master. | |
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