Fuess and Stearns, comps. The Little Book of Society Verse. 1922.
By. Frederick Locker-LampsonVanity Fair
“V
Of gentle and simple for thousands of years;
The wail still is heard, yet its notes never scare
Either simple or gentle from Vanity Fair.
There the young go to learn and the old to forget;
The mirth may be feigning, the sheen may be glare,
But the gingerbread’s gilded in Vanity Fair.
Atra Cura is up with the lacqueys behind;
Joan trudges with Jack—are the Sweethearts aware
Of the trouble that waits them in Vanity Fair?
Of the harvest they reap when we see them return.
The tree was enticing; its branches are bare—
Heigho for the promise of Vanity Fair.
His honesty sold for star, ribbon, and stuff;
And Joan’s pretty face has been clouded with care
Since Jack bought her ribbons at Vanity Fair.
Yet we all have a Vanity Fair of our own;
My son, you have yours, but you need not despair—
I own I ’ve a weakness for Vanity Fair.
We go, we repent, we return there again;
To-night you will certainly meet with us there—
So come and be merry in Vanity Fair.