Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MISS FANNY MACARTNEY TO MISS PEGGY BANKS, by FRANCES (FANNY) MACARTNEY GREVILLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MISS FANNY MACARTNEY TO MISS PEGGY BANKS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The night in soft slumbers rolled gently away
Last Line: Their province is railing, but ours is pleasure.
Subject(s): Courtship; Greville, Margaret Banks (d. 1793)


THE night in soft slumbers rolled gently away,
Nor did Peggy once dream what would happen next day;
When eager she rose, impatient to dress,
Well pleased her gay friends with her presence to bless;
But alas! on a sudden her schemes were o'erthrown,
Though her prayers were just said, and her cloak ready on:
For behold, who should enter, oh, grief beyond measure!
But -- , that total destroyer of pleasure,
With look so demure, and face dull and wise,
Brim-full of sage counsel and sober advice.
Thus the fair she accosted: 'Pray, whither so early?
Well may your poor friends say they see you but rarely;
Your mad comrades possess you so wholly of late,
That I and my maxims are quite out of date;
What, lost to all sense and discretion?', she cried;
'Are prudence and decency quite thrown aside?
For, if I mistake not, from ten till near four,
A gentleman's chariot was seen at your door;
This progress is great for so young a beginner;
From Peggy the saint you're turned Peggy the sinner.
Your conduct at church, and the way you behave,
Escape not the censures and frowns of the grave.
That same Mr. Grenville the world talks so loud of,
And the Duchess and Countess that you are so proud of,
And eke the three sisters -- well, mark the event;
God send that you may'nt these friendships repent!
The first, a fine lady, so great and so high;
The second, the grave, is by all reckoned sly;
And as for the third, oh! Peggy, beware,
And of that giddy girl I beseech you take care.'
With this caution the matron her sermon just ended,
While the fair one with patience uncommon attended.
Thus then are our parties and pastimes destroyed,
'Cause she grudged us the bliss souls like hers ne'er enjoyed?
And the dame, full of envy, with specious pretext,
While she preached upon scandal, made prudence her text.
Advisers like these, oh, my friend! ever dread,
Nor be by such troublesome neighbours misled.
Should this dull formal stuff o'er my Peggy prevail,
Ere her beauty, wit, youth, and her good humour fail?
No, consult my sweet mistress; in her book read one chapter,
You'll despise the vain lectures of prudes ever after;
Be sure she'll soon teach you, whate'er they can say,
That a heart formed as yours is can ne'er go astray.
Meanwhile, on the matrons let's take some compassion,
Nor forbid them t' indulge their last, favourite passion;
We'll laugh, let them talk and abuse at their leisure:
Their province is railing, but ours is pleasure.





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