A woman impudent and mannish grown Is not more loath'd than an effeminate man In time of action.
 William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida (1609). copy citation

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Author William Shakespeare
Source Troilus and Cressida
Topic action women
Date 1609
Language English
Reference
Note Written between 1600 and 1602
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1790/pg1790-images.html

Context

“But it must grieve young Pyrrhus now at home, When fame shall in our island sound her trump, And all the Greekish girls shall tripping sing 'Great Hector's sister did Achilles win; But our great Ajax bravely beat down him.' Farewell, my lord. I as your lover speak. The fool slides o'er the ice that you should break. Exit PATROCLUS. To this effect, Achilles, have I mov'd you. A woman impudent and mannish grown Is not more loath'd than an effeminate man In time of action. I stand condemn'd for this; They think my little stomach to the war And your great love to me restrains you thus. Sweet, rouse yourself; and the weak wanton Cupid Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold, And, like a dew-drop from the lion's mane, Be shook to airy air.” source