The Dance of Life A Poem, by the author of "Doctor Syntax;%" [i.e. William Combe] Illustrated with coloured engravings, by Thomas Rowlandson |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
 | CHAPTER I. INFANCY. The Dance of Life |  |
Just then a high-bred, neighb'ring Dame,
To make her kind enquiries came:
“—My dearest friend, I wish you joy;
“O what a charming, bouncing boy!
“His father's nose, his mother's eyes!”
Then came those flippant Demi-Lies
Which tonish Dames, for Fashion's sake,
Know how so well to give and take.
She then, nor wanted a reply,
Broke forth with due loquacity.
To make her kind enquiries came:
“—My dearest friend, I wish you joy;
“O what a charming, bouncing boy!
“His father's nose, his mother's eyes!”
Then came those flippant Demi-Lies
Which tonish Dames, for Fashion's sake,
Know how so well to give and take.
She then, nor wanted a reply,
Broke forth with due loquacity.
| CHAPTER I. INFANCY. The Dance of Life | |