| Citation |
EP.778.018
5 Dec 1778:41 (8)
ON DANCING.
"Your cynic sages, dull, unpolish'd fellows,
With formal cant, and rigid satire, tell us,
That dancing is an idle, wanton fashion,
The vain amusement of as vain a nation:
That women should avoid such tempting schools,
And only move by frozen virtue's rules.
I own their sober maxims partly right;
Virtue's a gem with native lustre bright,
But polish'd shines with a superior light.
Let rosy youth embloom the sprightly fair,
And beauty mould her with a lover's care;
If motion to the whole denies its grace,
In vain would beauty recommend the face.
With blunted charms, and unavailing eyes.
Such awkward maids relinquish beauty's prize.
'Tis dancing, only, heightens ev'ry charm,
And gives each feature double pow'r to warm.
Like Goddesses it learns us how to move,
And adds a Juno to the Queen of love.
At balls gay Cupid takes his fav'rite stand,
And gives the blushing fair to Hymen's hand;
Glad Hymen woos [ ] the virgin into wife,
And leads her thro' the various dance of life:
That partner lost, and age advancing on,
We truly say, our dancing days are done."
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