SOURCE: An excerpt in Athenian Mercury, Vol. 5, No. 13, January 12, 1691, p. 2.

In responding to a reader's question, the editor opines that Behn's poetry is uncannily similar in spirit to that of Sappho, and wishes that Behn had produced her own translation of Sappho's verse.

Quest…. Whether Sappho or Mrs. Behn were the better Poetess?

Answ. We must beg the Person of Honours pardon who lent this Question, if we can't help telling a pleasant passage before we answer it, 'tis met with in the Voyages of one Struts a Dutchman, about some 10 years since translated into English; and 'tis this, In the City of Ardebil in Persia are a Corporation of Whores, all Poetesses, whose chief Subject is the praise of the Emperor. This unlucky Story was brought to mind by some woful Loyal plays, which for 2 Reigns together pester'd the Theaters and Stationers, which is all we will...