Edith Matilda Thomas

Some Ladies of the Olden Time

    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!