Wanton As Unfledged Cupids

Aphra Behn was the first woman that any English people knew of to earn her living through her literature. Of course that ignores the Hebrew and pagan Sybyls who lived on their words, as well as many other prophetess poets from a variety of religions around the world. Ah, so we are, we so easily assume that our own small circle represents the whole of vast creation. So Aphra Behn was hailed and hated as the first woman in the history of the world to earn her living with her writing.

During her time, the later 1600's, she had to struggle to be accepted as a legitimate author, although her work itself was largely popular. Funny how people can love your work and disapprove of your making it.


Epitaph on the Tombstone of a Child,
The Last of Seven that Died Before

This little, silent, gloomy monument
Contains all that was sweet and innocent,
The softest prattler that e'er found a tongue.
His voice was music and his words a song,
Which now each listening angel smiling hears,
Such pretty harmonies compose the spheres.
Wanton as unfledged cupids, ere their charms
Had learned the little arts of doing harms,
Fair as young cherubim, as soft and kind,
And though translated could not be refined,
The seventh dear pledge the nuptual joys had given,
Where they the shining host of angels fill,
Spread their gay wings before the throne, and smile.


On her own tombstone is written, "Here lies a proof that wit can never be / Defence enough against mortality."


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