"'Tis not these only," Margaret replied,
"For many a change besides have I espied.
Look at the girls! — they all dress now-a-days
Like them fine folk who act them nonsense plays!
No more the decent mob surrounds the face,
Border'd with edging, or bit good bone-lace;
Gauze flappets soon — that will not last a day —
We'll see them flaunting whilst they're making hay!
All things are chang'd, the world's turned upside down,
And every servant wears a cotton gown,
Bit flimsy things, that have no strength to wear,
And will like any blotting-paper tear!
I made my Nelly a half-worsted gown,
She slighting told me 't would not do in town!
This pride! this pride! it sure must have a fall,
And bring some heavy judgment on us all!
They're grown so bold too, and their lads allow,
When courting them, to skulk behind a cow,
Till all's in bed. My John, when courting me,
Us'd after supper to come manfully;
For oft he us'd to say he knew no place
Where honesty need fear to shew its face.
No more it need! My master us'd to cry, —
He fear'd but two things — to turn thief, and lie."