* <br /> <br /> Courage, dear Moll, and drive away despair. <br /> Mopsa, who in her youth was scarce thought fair, <br /> In spite of age, experience, and decays, <br /> Sets up for charming in her fading days; <br /> Snuffs her dim eyes to give one parting blow, <br /> Have at the heart of every ogling beau! <br /> This goodly goose, all feather'd like a jay, <br /> So gravely vain and so demurely gay, <br /> Last night, to grace the Court, did overload <br /> Her bald buff forehead with a high commode; <br /> Her steps were manag'd with such tender art, <br /> As if each board had been a lover's heart. <br /> In all her air, in every glance, was seen <br /> A mixture strange, 'twixt fifty and fifteen. <br /> Crowds of admiring fops about her press; <br /> Hampden himself delivers their address, <br /> Which she, accepting with a nice disdain, <br /> Owns them her subjects and begins to reign. <br /> Fair Queen of Fopland is her royal stile -- <br /> Fopland! the greatest part of this great isle! <br /> <br /> Nature did ne'er more equally divide <br /> A female heart, 'twixt piety and pride. <br /> Her watchful maids prevent the peep of day, <br /> And all in order on her toilet lay: <br /> Prayer books and patch box, sermon notes and paint, <br /> At once t'improve the sinner and the saint. <br /> Farewell, friend Moll: expect no more from me; <br /> But if you would a full description see, <br /> You'll find her somewhere in the litany, <br /> With pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy.<br /><br />Earl of Dorset Charles Sackville<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-countess-dowager-of-manchester/
