iv. "Be that as it may," the grim Monarch replied; "The World is divided on questions like these: "Both Preachers and Maskers, were I to decile, "Are entitled alike to come here, if they please; "But if, above stairs, 66 They give themselves airs, "They'll depopulate Hell with their pranks and "For who would stay here to be roasted and flay'd, "While at Clifton they cant, and at Bath, masquerade ?" V. Thus saying, he beckon'd the Ghost of Beau Nash ; Where he at Proserpina's ball was presiding, (1) For the self-same employ, where we now cut a dash, Hereafter our Souls take astonishing pride in. (2) Come hither, Sir Fop; “Turn out neck and crop, "The Throne of your earthly Vicegerents to prop. "Use your power, where you boast it was never gain said; [rade!'" "And cock your (3) White Hat and cry- No Masque · VI. With a bow consequential, majestic and slow, "And, "Sire !" as he parted, 66 My motto you know— "Stat pro ratione voluntas," quoth he. Then with chapeau de bras, In a Minuet pas, He sidled, and slid through the black Pays-bas ; 'Till emerging at last, in amaze he survey'd A new Pandemonium in full Masquerade. VII. Aghast at their folly's extravagant pitch, He stood very like (4) his owu marble effigies; Then, as if the said Marble had stept from its nich, Burst out into this exclamation-" Prodigious ! "O degenerate race! "Is it thus you disgrace "The Laws of your Founder, (5) the site of this place? "Where for full fifty years I was fear'd and obey'd, "And none dream'd of any thing like Masquerade. VIII. "And was it for this I compiled my famed code, (6) "Wag'd war with a Duchess, and piqued a Princess? "Late hours, and lace aprons, resolved to explode, "Each birth-strangled dance, at the stroke of the "For this in the (7) Abbey so grand was I lay'd, "To be wak'd after all by this vile Masquerade? IX. "And you, my Successors, unequal, though twain, "In dominion to Me, sole and sovereign Dictator! "What boots (8) that ye strut of Medallion so vain, "For the rest of your garb while so plainly ye "No more to compare "With my spruce Solitaire, [cater! "Curl'd wig, and lac'd coat, than a clown to Lord Mayor: "Complete your Regalia: with foil and brocade, "Like England's proud Regent, eclipse Masquerade !" X. Alas! could mild manners and temperate sway 66 Corruption of taste or of morals reform; "Could the Graces of Figure and Fashion allay, "Or Eloquence check Dissipation's wild storm; "All our Foes rank and file (9) 66 "Would ground arms in high style, So sweetly ye speak, so politely ye smile; (10) Sure twice-tripple brass must that bosom pervade, "That would cry Down with King, and long live Mas querade !" XI. "But in vain ye rehearse your Cotillons, in vain "Your much-envied hand in the Minuet to gain, While you domineer, "Content to wear lappets one night in the year, "Provided the forfeit be duly repaid "By the snug private Waltz, and the dear Masquerade. XII. "Ah me! with what horror, ye fair, am I doom'd (11) To judge by the present, the next generation! "Dismantled of tuckers and stays, 'tis presum'd "Ye will scarce deem the Hottentot mode innovation. "And yet with surprise "Ye turn'd up your eyes, "And thought it so monstrous when seen in disguise, “(12) Not aware how much more your own charms ye degrade "Unclothed in reality-not Masquerade. XIII. "O Bath! blessed Bath! what a scene art thou grown, "With Crescent o'er Crescent and Rooms above Rooms; "Where I recognise nought, save what fain I'd disown, "Thy Ladies Grisettes, and thy Gentlemen Grooms! "Where are now- Woe is me! The Tête and Toupee, [their degree? "And the hoop and the buckram that stamp'd "Scarce enough can be hired to trick out an Old Maid "At Lady Dundizzy's renown'd Masquerade. |