Prevailing fashions/Prevailing fashions

The PREVAILING FASHIONS.

Good people all I pray draw near,
⁠in country and in town Sir;
The pride is got to such a pitch,
⁠the world's turn'd upside down Sir:
They are contriving every day
⁠their pretty shapes to spoil Sir
Since short waisted gowns they all do wear,
⁠their lump-backs for to hide Sir.
Chor. So Ladies of the fashion now,
⁠adhere onto my censures,
⁠I have short waisted gowns to sell,
⁠and very pretty spencers.

The servant girls they imitate
⁠the pride in every piece Sir,
And if they wear a flow'red gown,
⁠they’ll have it made short waist Sir,
They'd have it rumped all behind,
⁠it hangs just like a wallet
With a scull-cap on their head,
⁠just like a Scotchmans bonnnet

It was in London yon shall hear,
⁠upon a certain day Sir,
A lady she was dreised up,
⁠was going to the play Sir.
The blust'ring winds did blow so hard,
⁠blew off her cap and wig Sir,
With muff and tippet round her neck,
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⁠she look'd like a hairy pig
Those low keel’d slippers they do wear,
⁠their gouty legs to shew Sir ;
Their petticoats are fringed round,
⁠they cut a tempting show Sir :
And when their bosoms you do view,
⁠the truth I do declare, O,
A modesty they all must have,
⁠if ne’er a smock they wear, O.

The farmers’ daughters every where,
⁠the truth I do lay down Sir.
They dress as grand I do declare,
⁠as Ladies of renown Sir,
A cap and feather they must have,
⁠and mask all o’er their faces,
Let's hope their pride it will come down
⁠to linsey woolsey dresses,