And binds the shoulders flat. We prove its use Sov'reign and most effectual to secure From rickets and distortion, else our lot. Our habits, costlier than Lucullus wore, Just please us while the fashion is at full, But change with ev'ry moon. The sycophant, Who waits to dress us, arbitrates their date; Surveys his fair reversion with keen eye; Finds one ill made, another obsolete, This fits not nicely, that is ill conceiv'd; Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour. We have run Through ev'ry change that fancy at the loom, . Exhausted, has had genius to supply; And, studious of mutation still, discard For monstrous novelty and strange disguise. And comforts cease. Dress drains our cellar dry, And keeps our larder lean; puts out our fires; And introduces hunger, frost, and wo, Where peace and hospitality might reign. What man that lives, and that knows how to live, A form as splendid as the proudest there, A man o' th' town dines late, but soon enough, T' insure a side-box station at half price. He picks clean teeth, and, busy as he seems The rout is folly's circle, which she draws There form connexions, but acquire no friend; Waste youth in occupations only fit For second childhood, and devote old age To sports which only childhood could excuse. less?) Make just reprisals; and, with cringe and shrug, And bow obsequious, hide their hate of her. All catch the frenzy, downward from her grace, Whose flambeaux flash against the morning skies, And gild our chamber ceilings as they pass, Is hackney'd home unlacquey'd; who, in haste wives, On fortune's velvet altar off'ring up Their last poor pittance-fortune, most severe Of goddesses yet known, and costlier far Than all that held their routs in Juno's heav'n. So fare we in this prison house the world. And 'tis a fearful spectacle to see So many maniacs dancing in their chains. With eyes of anguish, execrate their lot, Then shake them in despair, and dance again! Now basket up the family of plagues Of honour, perjury, corruption, frauds By tricks and lies as num'rous and as keen Then cast them, closely bundled, ev'ry brat Makes men mere vermin, worthy to be trapp'd And gibbetted as fast as catchpole claws Can seize the slipp'ry prey: unties the knot Of union, and converts the sacred band |