The Past is such a curious Creature — Past-Mistress

A past-mistress is a woman of accomplishment. She might fight a man who disgraces her, not to pass him as a past mistress.

The Past is such a curious Creature ¹
To look her in the Face
A Transport may receipt us
Or a Disgrace－

Unarmed if any meet her ⁵
I charge him fly
Her faded Ammunition
Might yet reply.

(F.1273/J.1203)

[1] The Past:: the past-mistress, a woman well skilled in some accomplishment or study _{(OED past-mistress)}. The term is derived from past-master of freemasonry, one who has filled the office of master in a guild, civic company, freemasons' lodge, club, etc. _{(OED past-master)}.
[2] look, face:: to meet with boldness; to fight.
[3] Transport:: ecstasy, rapture. receipt:: to acknowledge.
[4, 5] Disgrace, Unarmed, any:: any unarmed man who disgraces the past-mistress.
[6] fly:: to escape, run away.
[7] faded:: a literal interpretation of past in past mistress.
[8] yet reply:: the past mistress might fight back, not to pass.

This woman could never carry the position so boldly unless indeed she were a past mistress in the art of cool impudence. ─ Sir Jasper's Tenant (1865)

but for Kate Blake! such a past mistress in the art of world valuation! it was literally impossible. ─ Who is to have it? (1859)