Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By ZitellaCocke

1730 Miss Nancy’s Gown

IN days when George the Third was King

And ruled the Old Dominion,

And Law and Fashion owned the sway

Of Parliament’s opinion,

A good ship brought across the sea

A treasure fair and fine,—

Miss Nancy’s gown from London town,

The latest Court design!

The plaited waist from neck to belt

Scarce measured half a span;

The sleeves, balloon-like, at the top

Could hold her feather fan;

The narrow skirt with bias gore

Revealed an ankle neat,

Whene’er she put her dainty foot

From carriage step to street!

By skilful hands this wondrous gown

Of costliest stuff was made,

Cocoons of France on Antwerp looms

Wrought to embossed brocade,

Where roses red and violets

In blooming beauty grew,

As if young May were there alway,

And June and April too!

And from this bower of delight

Miss Nancy reigned a Queen,

Nor one disloyal heart rebelled

In all her wide demesne:

The noble House of Burgesses

Forgot its fierce debate

O’er rights of Crown, when Nancy’s gown

Appeared in Halls of State!

Through jocund reel, or measured tread

Of stately minuet,

Like fairy vision shone the bloom

Of rose and violet,

As, hand in hand with Washington,

The hero of the day,

The smiling face and nymph-like grace

Of Nancy led the way!

A century, since that gay time

The merry dance was trod,

Has passed, and Nancy long has slept

Beneath the churchyard sod;

Yet on the brocade velvet gown

The rose and violet

Are blooming bright as on the night

She danced the minuet!