son'd, far outvie
The vivid hue of blushing Modesty.
Their auburn ringlets float not in the air;
No silken fillet binds their flowing hair;
But, plaister'd into form, the curls disgrace
Each animated feature of the face.
The gladsome Fair, in honour of the day,
With artificial flow'rets strew'd the way.
But in what language shall the Muse describe
The dancing, dressing Millinery Tribe,
Who, with their various emblems, next appear,
And joyful tell th' approach of FASHION near.
With mincing step the fickle Princess came:
Th' attending Crowds shout forth her empty name.
Strange was her form,--her look, her dress were strange;
And yet each moment saw their sudden change.
Now her Locks soar aloft, and threat the sky;
Now shade the brightness of her rolling eye:
Awhile they on her wanton bosom break;
Then, upward forc'd, display th' uncover'd neck.
Ere the long train could spread its shady folds,--
Drawn up,--a knot the alter'd vestment holds.
Soon fade the glories of th' enormous Plume;
As soon the superseding Chaplets bloom.
The rigid Stay, whose daring height conceals
Those swelling charms where many a Cupid dwells,
Ere they can heave again,--no more appear;
But leave each vulgar eye to revel there.
As I look'd down, the dropping Silk denies
Her pretty feet to my intruding eyes:
Again I look'd,--th' according flounce updrew,
And gave the well-turn'd ankle to my view.
Now stiff,--now slouching in her gait she walk'd;
Now lisp'd, now mouth'd each sentence as she talk'd.
A form so changeful I had never seen;--
The red, the blue, the yellow, and the green,
In quick succession, o'er her figure past,
A moment loiter'd, but refus'd to last.
And as, in various pride, she mov'd along,
Now charm'd,--now angry with the shouting Throng,
Submissive _Eunuchs_ to their Mistress bend,
And in shrill warblings hail their _only_ Friend.
Now LUXURY advanc'd, a pamper'd Dame;
In these brave piping days a favourite name.
Tissues of gold her gorgeous robe compose;
In many a fold the shining vestment flows;
And far behind sends forth a sweeping Train,
Which _Dame Cornelys_ scarcely can sustain.
Gems bright as those which Eastern Monarchs wear,
Hang on her breast and sparkle in her hair.
She but commands, and lo!--submissive A
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