University of Virginia Library

Hail now, for time the tenth, May Fair!
Though many a stable scents thy air—
Though many a butcher's glowing shambles
Startle the beauty's morning rambles—
Though to her horror many a Jew
Shows her past stockings “goot as new”—
Though, swung from many a dyer's pole,
Old blankets catch her eye's blue roll;
And petticoats, in league with breeches,
Increase the atmospheric riches;
A sort of upper story bower
To filter the eternal shower;
And dropping down their dingy dew,
Veneer her skin with black and blue.
Yet, land of ponch romaine and plate,
Of dinners fix'd at half-past eight;
Of morning lounge, of midnight rout,
Of debt and dun, of love and gout,
Of drowsy days, of brilliant nights,
Of dangerous eyes, of downright frights,
Of tables where old Sidney shines,
Of ladies famous for their wines;
Grim Countesses that make their way—
Resistless charmers!—by Tokay;
Of bold on dit and plain soupcon,
Known to all mankind but the one;
Of tedious M. P.'s, pursy peers,
Illustrious for their length of ears;
Of Dice and Doctors, Bowstreets, Bards,
Crowds, Concerts, Chat, Champaigne, and Cards;
Of all the S*m*rs, Br*d*lls,—Br*c*s,
The St*h*p*s, P*g*ts, G*w*rs, De*R*ses;
Of faction, flirting, and quadrille;—
With all thy faults, I love thee still!
And, while I have a love to spare,
Dear to my soul art thou, May Fair!