Poem by Mary Robinson

Male Fashions for 1799

Crops like hedgehogs, high-crown’d hats,
Whispers like Jew MOSES ;
Padded collars, thick cravats,
And cheeks as red as roses.

Faces painted pink and brown ;
Waistcoats strip’d and gaudy ;
Sleeves thrice doubled thick with down,
And straps to brace the body.

Short great-coats that reach the knees,
Boots like French postillion ;
Worn the G----- race to please,
But laugh’d at by the million.

Square-toed shoes, with silken strings,
Pantaloons not fitting ;
Finger deck’d with wedding rings,
And small-clothes made of knitting.

Curricles so low, that they
Along the ground seem dragging ;
Hacks that weary half the day
In Rotten-row are fagging.

Bull-dogs grim, and boxers bold,
In noble trains attending ;
Science which is bought with gold,
And flatt’rers vice commending.

Hair-cords, and plain rings, to shew
Many a LADY’s favour,
BOUGHT by ev’ry vaunting beau,
With mischievous endeavour.

Such is giddy FASHION’s son !
Such a MODERN LOVER!
Oh ! wou’d their reign had ne’er begun !
And may it soon BE OVER!

1. Sonnet 28. Weak Is the Sophistry
2. Sonnet 16. Delusive Hope
3. Second Ode to the Nightingale
4. Sonnet 19. Farewell, Ye Coral Caves
5. Sonnet 31. Far O’er the Waves

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