(_According to our daily paper, sloppy untidiness is to be the fashion
this year._)
I've jibed at Dame Fashion for many a year,
Jibed bitterly rather than gaily;
And over the follies of feminine wear
I indulged in a diatribe daily;
But now I must sing in a different strain
And praise with a penitent vigour
The kindness by which she was moved to ordain
Untidiness strictly _de rigueur_.
Though man from her fetters is commonly loose
(For he has the pluck to withstand her),
I take it that what is correct for the goose
Will not be amiss for the gander;
And I have a suit that for comfort and ease
I'd always elect to be dressed in;
The trousers have dear little bags where my knees
Have made them a corner to nest in.
The sleeves of the coat are all frayed at the end,
The seams of the waistcoat have "started,"
But I have a weakness for elderly friends,
And now we need never be parted;
No more when I wear it shall people esteem
The bardlet in need of compassion;
They'll merely consider him rather extreme
In his fervent devotion to Fashion.
* * * * *
"BOLTON W. 1, MANCHESTER C. 0.
BOLTON WAN. 1, MANCHES. C. 0."
_Sunderland Daily Echo._
It is still a little obscure, but "B. Wanderers 1, M. City 0" would
bring it home to everybody.
* * * * *