Women must weep :: :: University of Virginia Library

It was only a picture, in the Graphic
Of the fashion that highest rank illumes,
With its dainty scenes, and the forms seraphic,
That despise the bondage of old costumes;

It was only a common kind of picture,
And a spectacle such as we often see,
That the prude would visit with scarce a stricture,
But it caught the eye of a poor Chinee.

There were ladies at some exalted function,
In their “full-dress” undress blaze of charms,
In their lace and jewels without compunction,
And a prodigal show of breast and arms;
There were all the sights that allure the senses,
When the mind from mere prejudice is free,
When it mocks at decorum and expenses;
But it puzzled the brain of the poor Chinee.

There were tucks and trimmings, and scraps of clothing,
With the paint and powder of borrow'd grace;
And the gorgeous trains, though they led to nothing,
Seem'd material somewhat out of place;
And as if they had robb'd the fairer features
Of protection from which they ill could flee,
To beget an inferior type of creatures;
And it look'd so sad to the poor Chinee.

It was all like a wild and wicked vision,
From the Christian temples to Bad Fame,
Where the decent is food but for derision
In the civilised orgies none may name;
They were women despoil'd, and foul with staining,
Which the Briton inflicts and gilds with fee,
And had little save fig-leaves now remaining,
For the dress that is dear to the poor Chinee.

And he stared and stared, for he knew no better—
He was only an ignorant heathen fool,
And he still was bound with a modest fetter,
For from Fashion he had not learn'd at school;
Till at last a thought of their strange condition,
Which appear'd a thing that should never be,
That the half-nude frames sought a wise physician
Was a ray of light to the poor Chinee.

He felt sure those women, that shone out shameless,
Had but come to be touch'd by a healing hand;
And the bold unbosom'd forms were blameless,
As they ought to be in a Christian land.
And he guess'd that the pearls were as closely guarded,
As the fruit on the sweet forbidden tree,
That their shelter was just for a while discarded;
And he sigh'd at their pains, the poor Chinee.

He was only a fool, and we know how dresses,
That were once given beauties to conceal,
In this country, which God's own Bible blesses,
Are meant now those beauties to reveal.
And the Culture, that would not be rude and ravage—
To show that extremes may still agree—
Has return'd to the noble naked savage;
And we can but pity the poor Chinee.