Mary Darby 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 pinkand 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!
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