THE LADIES OF ST. JAMES'S A PROPER NEW BALLAD OF THE COUNTRY AND THE TOWN "Phyllida amo ante alias."-VIRG. HE ladies of St. James's THE Go swinging to the play; Their footmen run before them, With a "Stand by! Clear the way!" But Phyllida, my Phyllida ! She takes her buckled shoon, When we go out a-courting The ladies of St. James's Wear satin on their backs; The ladies of St. James's! They are so fine and fair, The breath of heath and furze, When breezes blow at morning, Is not so fresh as hers. The ladies of St. James's! They're painted to the eyes; Their white it stays for ever, Their red it never dies: But Phyllida, my Phyllida! Her colour comes and goes; It trembles to a lily, It wavers to a rose. The ladies of St. James's! The ladies of St. James's! They have their fits and freaks; They smile on you-for seconds; They frown on you-for weeks: But Phyllida, my Phyllida! Come either storm or shine, From Shrove-tide unto Shrove-tide, Is always true—and mine. My Phyllida!-my Phyllida! THE OLD SEDAN CHAIR "What's not destroy'd by Time's devouring Hand? Where's Troy, and where's the May-Pole in the Strand ?" -BRAMSTON'S ART OF POLITICKS." IT T stands in the stable-yard, under the eaves, Propped up by a broom-stick and covered with leaves: It once was the pride of the gay and the fair, It is battered and tattered,—it little avails That once it was lacquered, and glistened with nails; For its leather is cracked into lozenge and square, Like a canvas by Wilkie,-that old Sedan chair! See, here came the bearing-straps; here were the holes For the poles of the bearers-when once there It was cushioned with silk, it was wadded with hair, As the birds have discovered,—that old Sedan chair! "Where's Troy?" says the poet! Look,-under the seat, Is a nest with four eggs,-'tis the favoured retreat Of the Muscovy hen, who has hatched, I dare swear, Quite an army of chicks in that old Sedan chair! And yet-Can't you fancy a face in the frame Of the window,—some high-headed damsel or dame, Be-patched and be-powdered, just set by he stair, While they raise up the lid of that old Sedan |