But no longer I'll venture this subject to dash on, Since I know the dear creatures but follow the fashion, Nor should I have dar'd just to touch on this thistle, But just to wind up my long winded epistle. 536
Since the world and all in it are subject to changing, I hope my dear mother you'll pardon my ranging, Nor think it surprising to find your son plac'd 'Mongst the very first people for fashion, and taste, You must know that last week to read novels I took And had stepp'd up to Wilson's to get a new book, When who should I hear in the reading-room laughing, But our Yeomanry Col'nel and Major O'Baffin; So I stepp'd to the first with a very low bow, And he was transported to see me I vow, Call'd me neighbour, and friend, brother soldier, and all that, Introducing the Major with plenty of small chat; In short we became all so happy together, They thought it was best I should just remove hither; In fact as _High_ Harrogate's now all the go, 'Twould be folly to stay any longer at _Low_. The Col'nel and Lady reside at the Granby, But the Major and I who are good friends as can be, Prefer at the Dragon to take up our quarters; Where the company's charming, tho' some of 'em Tartars, And the eating's so good and the claret so fine, 'Tis worth riding post fifty miles just to dine, And in spite of the bustle (good madam don't frown,) The house and the garden's as neat as your own.
Here's a young widow Jointurewell lately come dashing, But the Countess of Allwit's the woman for splashing, Her bays in their coach are as constantly prancing, As the widow's black eyes on the strangers are glancing. The fam'd ----r----n---- he is this moment arriving, To strangers well known by the style of his driving For he sports his own mail his own trumpet he blows, So he well may be known wheresoever he goes, He's the soul of good humour, of frolic, and whim, And High Harrogate owes half its pleasures to him. Lady Shufflecut's here and her husband Sir Ned, She games all the night while he's snoring in bed, And tho' handsome and young he's so idle all day, That he seldom assists in her labours at play; So the lady transacts all the business alone, Tho' he on her efforts subsists 'tis well known, Her friend Lady Sweepstakes oft comes for a rubber, And gen'rally finds some one willing to drub her, But tied by her Lord to play only for guineas, She bites while she's bit and then laughs at the ninnies; Who in losing their time have egregiously blundered, In but taking ten pounds where they hoped for a hundred; For wit and good humour this lady can boast, And her temper can keep when her money is lost.