In many a lecture, many a book, <br />You all have heard, you all have read, <br />That time is precious. Of its use <br />Much has been written, much been said. <br /> <br /> <br />The accomplishments which gladden life, <br />As music, drawing, dancing, are <br />Encroachers on our precious time; <br />Their praise or dispraise I forbear. <br /> <br /> <br />They should be practised or forborne, <br />As parents wish, or friends desire: <br />What rests alone in their own will <br />Is all I of the young require. <br /> <br /> <br />There's not a more productive source <br />Of waste of time to the young mind <br />Than dress; as it regards our hours <br />My view of it is now confined. <br /> <br /> <br />Without some calculation, youth <br />May live to age and never guess, <br />That no one study they pursue <br />Takes half the time they give to dress. <br /> <br /> <br />Write in your memorandum-book <br />The time you at your toilette spend; <br />Then every moment which you pass, <br />Talking of dress with a young friend: <br /> <br /> <br />And ever when your silent thoughts <br />Have on this subject been intent, <br />Set down as nearly as you can <br />How long on dress your thoughts were bent. <br /> <br /> <br />If faithfully you should perform <br />This task, 'twould teach you to repair <br />Lost hours, by giving unto dress <br />Not more of time than its due share.<br /><br />Charles Lamb<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/time-spent-in-dress/
