I'm wondering about that red-dyed petticoat. Just as, you know, a fashion choice, it doesn't make sense to buy dye when you've sold everything else for your soldier-boy. ;)

I haven't done my research (sorry!) but I'd expect normally expect it to be a badge of prostitution - both as advertising and because many cities/cultures required all prostitutes to wear some kind of clear token, like red shoes or a yellow hat or whatever, both to mark their shame and to help the guys find the pros without accidentally waylaying honest women by mistake.

And prostitution would shame and horrify one's parents more than begging would.

Or am I wrong and it's just a way to fill out a rhyming line?

--Nonie