The London Ladies Vindication
OF
TOP-KNOTS:
With the many Reasons that She shows for the Continuation of the same: As also
proving Men to be as Proud as themselves.
To the Tune of, Here I Love, there I Love: Or, The two English Travellers.
Licensed according to Order.
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YOung Women and Damsels that love to go fine,
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Come listen a while to this Ditty of mine;
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In spight of of all Poets, brave Girls, we will wear
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Our Towers and Topknots, with Powdered Hair.
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I am a young Woman 'tis very well known,
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And I am resolv'd to make use of my own,
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In spight of all Poets, brave Girls we will wear
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A Tower and Topknot, with Powdered Hair.
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They talk of a Calf which was seen in our dress,
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Yet let us take Courage, Girls, nevertheless
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In spight of those Rumours, we'll constantly wear
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[Rich Towers with Topknots,] and Powdered Hair.
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We are not such Fools to believe what they say,
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'Tis fit that young Women should go fine and gay,
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In spight of their Bugbears, brave Girls, let us wear
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Rich Towers and Topknots, with Powdered Hair.
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Were we to be Ruled by some sort of Men,
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We should go like Women of Fourscore and Ten,
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In spight of those Coxcombs, brave Girls we will wear
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Rich Towers and Topknots with Powdered Hair.
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Like Beautiful Angels we strive to appear,
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The Hearts of our Husbands in order to cheer;
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Then what is the Reason that we may not wear
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Rich Towers and Topknots, with Powdered Hair?
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If we are the Pleasure and Joy of their Life,
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Pray when can they take more delight in a Wife,
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Then at the same time when rich Garments they wear,
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With Towers and Topknots, etc.
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We see the young Misses and Jilts of the Town,
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Have six Stories high, as they walk up and down:
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Then pray tell me why should not honest Wifes wear
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Rich Towers and Topknots, etc.
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If we an't as Fine and as Gaudy as they,
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Who knows but our Husbands might soon run astray;
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Consider this Women, and still let us wear
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Our Towers and Topknots, etc.
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It is but a Folly to tell us of Pride,
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While we have these Arguments still on our side;
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As long as we live, we will flourishing wear
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Rich Towers and Topknots, etc.
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Nay further I'll tell ye the case it is thus,
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That all is not sav'd which is put in the Purse;
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A Shop-keeper's Lady she utters much Ware,
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When drest in her Topknots, etc.
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What Man would not have his Wife richly Array'd,
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When as he well knows it enlarges his Trade:
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Come, come, I must tell ye, 'tis fit we should wear
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Rich Towers and Topknots, etc.
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Sometimes when our Husbands are out of the way,
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Pray tell me what Huffing young Gallants will stay,
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If that a fine Delicate Wife was not there?
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Then Hey for the Topknots and Powdered Hair.
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Some young-men may flout us, yet mark what I say,
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There's no Woman living now Prouder than they;
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Observe but the many Knick-Knacks which they wear,
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More costly than Topknots, or Powdered Hair.
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Their Wigg, Watch, and Rapiers we daily behold,
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And Embroidered Wastcoats of Silver and Gold;
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Likewise, Turn up Stockings, they constantly wear,
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More costly than Topknots, or Powdered Hair.
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If Pride be a sin and a folly, why then
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Han't we a far better Example from Men?
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If Gaudy Apparel those Gallants do wear,
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We will have our Topknots and Powdered Hair.
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