And so received her with their gentlest graces,
And questions—though the questions are implied,
For ladies, from Great Britain to the Tropics,
Are very orthodox in their choice of topics.
They ask’d her, who was married? who was dead?
What were the newest things in silks and ivories?
And had Y—Y—, who had eloped with Z—,
Been yet forgiven? and had she seen his liveries?
And weren’t they something between grey and red?
And hadn’t Z’s papa refused to give her his?