And fought beneath no banner but my own.Whether by strength I combated, or wile,Fortune did ever on my actions smile;I only owe my triumph to my care,And by my patience only won the fair.Nor was my cause of quarrel new; the sameSet Europe and proud Asia in a flame.For Helen, ravish'd by the Dardan boy,Was the war wag'd that sunk the pride of Troy;The Centaurs double form'd, half man, half beast,Defil'd with horrid war the nuptial feast;Inflam'd by wine and woman's magic charms,They turn'd the jolly face of joy to arms.'Twas woman urg'd the strife; a second fairInvolv'd the Trojans in a second war.What wreck, what ruin, did a Woman bringOn peaceful Latium, and its pious king!When Rome was young and in her infant stateWhat woes did woman to our sires create!Into what peril was that city brought,