The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson including many pieces never before published. In Three Volumes |
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| II. |
 | III. |
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TASTE AND FASHION. |
 | The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson |  |
146
TASTE AND FASHION.
Says fashion to taste, “I am strangely perplex'd,
“For nothing to please me you bring;
“With whims and with changes for ever I'm vex'd,
“And still fancy is wild on the wing!
“For nothing to please me you bring;
“With whims and with changes for ever I'm vex'd,
“And still fancy is wild on the wing!
“I've invented all things that caprice can devise,
“I have mingled all colours—and still
“The leaders of fashion her fancy despise,
“And in ridicule, laugh at my skill!
“I have mingled all colours—and still
“The leaders of fashion her fancy despise,
“And in ridicule, laugh at my skill!
“I have dress'd and un-dress'd the fair nymphs of our land,
“I've display'd ev'ry charm they possess;
“Like their grand-mother Eve, I have led the gay band,
“Or like Venus, have taught them to bless.”
“I've display'd ev'ry charm they possess;
“Like their grand-mother Eve, I have led the gay band,
“Or like Venus, have taught them to bless.”
147
“And 'tis therefore they scorn you!” cried taste with a smile,
“You have left them no charm to display!
“When I led the blythe phalanx, I taught them the while,
“To be sparing, and decent, and gay!
“You have left them no charm to display!
“When I led the blythe phalanx, I taught them the while,
“To be sparing, and decent, and gay!
“I told them, that beauty, when seen by all eyes,
“Wou'd the proud charm of novelty lose;
“And that he is most constant who fearfully sighs,
“She the most happy who learns to refuse!”
“Wou'd the proud charm of novelty lose;
“And that he is most constant who fearfully sighs,
“She the most happy who learns to refuse!”
Let the daughters of fashion to truth then give ear
Let them hide the fair charms they possess:
And tributes of fame at their feet shall appear,
And mankind shall their empire confess.
Let them hide the fair charms they possess:
And tributes of fame at their feet shall appear,
And mankind shall their empire confess.
| The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson | |