Page:The art of dress - a poem (IA artofdresspoem00gayj).pdf/19

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Th' endanger'd Bark which floated on the Main
With Canvas furl'd, and bore the Shock with Pain,
Through gentle Waves now cuts her easy way,
Spreads all her Sails, and lets her Streamers play.

Then our first Quixots us'd on Steeds to Prance,
Buckled in Mail, and break th' unweildy Lance;
For prudent Nymphs (and who can blame the Fair
In chusing well, who took such early Care)
Would put their Lovers on that bold Essay,
To know their Strength before the Wedding Day.

Much still there wanted to compleat our Dress,
And Beaus and Belles were awkard with Excess,
Till William brought his Norman Models o'er,
Trunk-Hose, and Farthingales unknown before.

The