new;

Each new, quite new (except some ancient tricks),

New white-sticks, gold-sticks, broomsticks, all new sticks!

With vests or ribands — deck'd alike in hue, New troopers strut, new turncoats blush in blue:

So saith the muse: my, what say you? Such was the time when Waltz might best maintain 178

Her new preferments in this novel reign;
Such was the time, nor ever yet was such;
Hoops are no more, and petticoats not much:
Morals and minuets, virtue and her stays,
And tell-tale powder - all have had their
days.

The ball begins; the honours of the house
First duly done by daughter or by spouse,
Some potentate -or royal or serene,
With Kent's gay grace or sapient Gloster's
mien

Leads forth the ready dame, whose rising flush

Might once have been mistaken for a blush. From where the garb just leaves the bosom free,

190

That spot where hearts were once supposed to be;

Round all the confines of the yielded waist, The strangest hand may wander undis

placed;

The lady's in return may grasp as much
As princely paunches offer to her touch.
Pleased round the chalky floor how well

they trip,

One hand reposing on the royal hip;

Ink. Why, the place is so cramm'd, there's not room for a spectre. Besides, our friend Scamp is to-day so absurd

Tra. How can you know that till you hear him?

Ink. I heard Quite enough; and, to tell you the truth, my retreat

Was from his vile nonsense no less than the heat.

Tra. I have had no great loss then?
Ink.
Loss! such a palaver!

I'd inoculate sooner my wife with the slaver

Of a dog when gone rabid, than listen two hours

To the torrent of trash which around him

I perhaps may as well hold my tongue;

But there's five hundred people can tell you you're wrong.

Tra. You forget Lady Lilac 's as rich as a Jew.

Ink. Is it miss or the cash of mamma

you pursue?

Tra. Why, Jack, I'll be frank with you -something of both. The girl's a fine girl.

Ink.

And you feel nothing loth To her good lady-mother's reversion; and yet

81

Her life is as good as your own, I will bet. Tra. Let her live, and as long as she likes; I demand

Nothing more than the heart of her daughter and hand.

Enter LADY BLUEBOTTLE, MISS LILAC, LADY BLUEMOUNT, MR. BOTHERBY, INKEL, TRACY, MISS MAZARINE, and others, with SCAMP the Lecturer, etc., etc.

Lady Blueb. Ah! Sir Richard, good morning; I've brought you some friends. Sir Rich. (bows, and afterwards aside). If friends, they 're the first. Lady Blueb. But the luncheon attends. pray ye be seated, 'sans cérémonie.' Mr. Scamp, you're fatigued; take your chair there, next me. [They all sit. Sir Rich. (aside). If he does, his fatigue is

I

to come.