English poem
Some Ladies Of The Olden Time
by Edith Matilda Thomas (1854–1925)
A long time ago in Childhood's Land, A troop of sweet ladies I knew, If the truth must be told, I myself Was their lady's maid, patient and true!
I served them, I dressed them, I took them to walk, I made the fine clothes that they wore; Very dainty,--and delicate, too, were they all, For they never arose until four!
Wide were their flounces of crimson or white, A little old fashioned for now; Prim were their figures--ah, yes, I must own, Their heads they never could bow!
Their heads were so round and so small and so green-- Not clever nor learnèd were they; But then, they were only Four o'Clock Ladies, And their life, 'twas a short one and gay!