DRESS "AS USUAL."
(A Protest from Mr. Punch.)
The National Organising Committee for War Savings has issued an appeal against extravagance in women's dress.
Certain ladies—just a section
Of our spindle side—
Swerving in a wrong direction,
Dress have deified;
And, as incomes grow more slender,
Bring discredit on their gender
By refusing to surrender
Fashion for their guide.
Most of England's wives and daughters
Play a noble part,
In the very deepest waters
Never losing heart;
Danger and privation braving,
Nursing, helping, toiling, slaving,
Thinking vastly more of saving
Than of looking smart.
Highly-paid officials slate us,
Dwelling on the ills
Which infallibly await us
In our empty tills;
But these frenzied fair ones, furious
in the quest of the luxurious,
Still pursue a most injurious
Cult of frocks and frills.
True, our Ministerial teachers
Fail us in the fight,
For the practice of the preachers
Sins against the light;
Still "Two Wrongs"—for so the sages
Crystallize the lore of ages
Gathered at successive stages—
"Do not make a Right."
Birds of Paradise are grateful
Under skies serene;
But the human type is hateful
On a tragic scene;
When the outlook's drear and cloudy
Punch would rather see you dowdy
Than extravagant and rowdy
In your dress and mien.
True simplicity is tasteful;
Think before you spend;
Woeful want attends the wasteful
In the bitter end;
You who, when the world is mourning,
All remonstrance lightly scorning,
Only think of self-adorning,
Sadden Punch, your friend.