["After the noble lord's dinner-party, at which the ladies appeared
in their cycling costumes, consisting of ..., the company set off at
half-past ten on their bikes for the region between St Paul's and the
Tower, where at that hour, except an occasional policeman, hardly a
soul is to be seen. Their example is now being generally imitated."
_People of To-Day_.]
When night her sable pall doth spread
Above the city's sleeping head
So as it seemeth to be dead;
And labour hath a short surcease,
And burglars taste a halcyon peace,
Save where the vigilant police,
All fearless on their darkling beat,
With sound of heavy-sandalled feet
Wake awesome echoes in the street;
When weary chapmen go their ways
To halls of song or sit at gaze
In front of elevating plays;
Or haply drop into the club,
And pausing for a friendly rub
Defy the deadly nuptial snub;
Or watch in fond paternal mood
The slumber of their infant brood
In some suburban neighbourhood:--
Then, JULIA, then, at such an hour
I gather that you quit your bower
And seek the purlieus of the Tower;
Encased in wanton breeks and wide,
A solid regiment, you ride
With swains revolving at your side;
By stilly thoroughfares you strike
Th' astonied silence with your bike;
Earth never yet hath seen the like!
Not she, that fair of whom they sing,
Who wrought her city's ransoming,
GODIVA dared so bold a thing.
High Heaven alone sees such a sight
When Dian wheels her orb by night
With many a starry satellite.
But, JULIA, though the mode decree,
By all the rites of Battersea,
That you career in company,
The conscious object of remark,
Whenas the lusty-throated lark
Disporteth o'er the People's Park;
Yet certes it were more discreet,
When Hesper from his vantage-seat
Illuminateth Cannon Street,
To ride with none but me to know
Just how th' enamoured breezes blow
Round your ineffable _trousseau!_
How say you, sweet? To-morrow, then,
We assignate for half-past ten
Upon the punctual stroke of Ben?
On Cupid's chaste commission bent
We twain will meet, with your consent,
10.30, by the Monument.
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