Advice to the Maidens of LONDON:
To Forsake Their
Fantastical TOP-KNOTS;
Since they are become so Common with Billings-gate Women, and the Wenches that cryes
Kitchin-Stuff: Together with the Wanton Misses of the Town.
To the Tune of, Ye Ladies of London.
This may be Printed, R. P.
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NOw you young Females that follows the Mode,
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both beautiful, brown, black, and muddy;
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You must expect for to Reap what you've Sow'd,
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for making of Pride all your study:
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These very Lines I send to you now,
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concerning your Noddles adorning,
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Towers and Top-Knots we will not allow,
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and therefore take this for a warning.
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Do but consider the Women of Old,
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who flourished not in large Laces,
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Nor in your Glistering Silver and Gold,
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but with many more Modest Graces;
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But now at length these things are forgot,
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and Women are monstrous wicked,
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Susan and Joan they will have a Top-Knot,
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although they have never a Smicket.
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Every Dragel'-tayl'd Country Girl,
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when once she comes up to the City,
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If she can get but a Ribbon-Fallal,
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O then she is wondrous pritty:
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Thus Al-a-mode they're willing to seem,
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when e're they go trooping together,
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Like a Fore-Horse of a Country Tram,
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deckt up on their flourishing Feather.
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HEre we may see what young Damsel will do,
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before they will want of their pleasure,
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Nancy and Nell of the Billings-gate Crew,
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they'l Mortgage their secret Treasure,
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For a Top-Knot besure they'l have one,
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to wear on their heads when they're ready,
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And as they trip it to Islington,
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ye scarce can know Joan from my Lady.
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Kate the Cook-Maid is as fine as the rest,
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behind there is no one shall leave her,
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She'l have a Top-Knot to wear when she's drest,
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or else it would certainly grieve her;
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Her Kitchin-stuff she often will sell,
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to purchase that Ranting Attire,
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And when she wears it it please her well,
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to think how Young-men her admire.
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But as for those that have Money to seek,
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and cannot tell where they shall find it,
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They their Top-Knots will take up by the week,
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and pay when the Devil is blinded;
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What need they care if they have their Pride,
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the Al-a-mode Fashions of London,
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Fine Hoods and Laces, with Top-Knots beside,
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without which, alas! they are undon.
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Some Misses wear as much Ribbon a top,
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in this their most Gaudy Attire,
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As if their Head was a Milliners Shop,
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and she would have no one pass by her,
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But what should come and handle her Ware,
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and they having Money, she'd ease 'um,
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Being drest up in their Top-Knot and Hair,
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she may be sufficient to please 'um.
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Seeing this Al-a-mode wear of the Town,
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by Gillians is practis'd so common,
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It is high time that it now was laid down
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by every right Honest Woman;
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If that you will but let them alone,
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O then I shall not be Offended,
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Jillian and Dolly will straightways be known
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from those that are better descended.
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FINIS.
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