"When blithe to argument I come,
Though armed with facts, and merry,
May Providence protect me from
The fool as adversary,
Whose mind to him a kingdom is
Where reason lacks dominion,
Who calls conviction prejudice
And prejudice opinion." [139]

Auden wrote the Foreword, comparing McGinley's rhymes to Hood, Praed, Calverly, Belloc, and Chesterton. He compares her feminine imagination with that of the males:

"In theological terms, one might say that all men, left to themselves, become gnostics. They may swagger like peacocks, but in their heart of hearts they all think sex an indignity and wish they could beget themselves on themselves. Hence the aggressive hostility toward women so manifest in most club-car stories." [xi] Wow. He quotes her verses on the cares of men and women.

Light verse.

"Deciding on reflection calm,
Mankind is better off with trifles:
With Band-Aid rather than the bomb,
With safety match than safety rifles.
Let the earth fall or the earth spin!
A brave new world might well begin
With no invention
Worth the mention
Save paper towels and aspirin."