On a Velvet Coat of the Last Century.
Yes ! ’Tis old and faded now,1
Sadly torn ;2
Yet let us remember how3
’Twould adorn4
A gay gallant at Vauxhall ;5
And at Bath Assembly ball,6
And how walking in the Mall,7
Once ’twas worn.8
With a delicate cravat,9
Made of lace,10
With a smart three-cornered hat,11
And a face,12
Framed in hair of sunny hue,13
Tied behind in hanging queue,14
Curled and frizzed—of powder, too,15
Just a trace.16
And a rapier gaily swung17
At his side ;18
O’er his hands lace ruffles hung,19
Fine and wide ;20
Oh ! his gauds became him well,21
And the village crones can tell22
How full many a Tunbridge “ belle ”23
For him sighed.24
Fought he duels one or two,25
Maybe more,26
And full many a “ billet doux ”27
At the door28
Of some patched and powdered fair,29
He would leave with tragic air,30
Which he took especial care31
That she saw.32
But for wife no Fashion’s Queen,33
Did he take,34
But a maid of modest mien,35
For whose sake36
He determined Fashion’s crowd,37
With its buzz of voices loud,38
And its train of beauties proud,39
To forsake.40
Thus his merry old-time days41
Fleeted by ;42
And if we our eyes upraise,43
We can spy44
On a tomb— “ Sir Clement Gray45
And his virtuous Lady, May,46
Dying on the self-same day,47
Here do lie.”48