Mary Leapor

Mary Leapor (1722–1746) was an English poet from Northamptonshire. Out of the many labouring-class writers of the period, she was noticeably well received.

Quotes

• In spite of all romantic poets sing,
  This gold, my dearest, is an useful thing.
  • "Mira to Octavia", in Poems upon Several Occasions, vol. 1 (1748)

• Woman, a pleasing but a short-lived flower,
  Too soft for business and too weak for power:
  A wife in bondage, or neglected maid:
  Despised, if ugly; if she’s fair, betrayed.
  • "An Essay on Woman", in Poems upon Several Occasions, vol. 2 (1751)