Note 238 — Chapter XIV · WOMEN'S DRESS.
Reading edition
The Fan shall flutter in all Female Hands, And various Fashions learn from various lands, For this, shall Elephants their Iv'ry shed; And polished Sticks the waving Engine spread: His clouded Mail the Tortoise shall resign, And round the Rivet pearly Circles shine. On this shall Indians all their Art employ, And with bright Colours stain the gaudy Toy; Their Paint shall Here in wildest Fancies flow, Their Dress, their Customs, their Religion show, So shall the British Fair their minds improve, And on the Fan to distant Climates rove. Here shall the Chinese Dame her Pride display, And silver Figures gild her loose Array; She boasts her little Feet and winking Eyes, And tunes the Fife, or tinkling Cymbal plies; Here Cross leg'd Nobles in rich State shall dine, When on the Floor large painted Vessels shine, For These, O China, shall thy Realms be sought, With These, shall Europe's mighty Ships be fraught, Thy glitt'ring Earth shall tempt their Ladies Eyes, Who for thy brittle Jars shall Gold despise. Gay France shall make the Fan her Artists' Care, And with the Costly Trinket arm the Fair. ......... While Widows seek once more the Nuptial State, And wrinkled Maids repent their Scorn too late, As long as youthful Swains shall Nymphs deceive, And easie Nymphs those youthful Swains believe, While Beaus in Dress consume the tedious Morn, So long the Fan shall Female Hands adorn.[238]