The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #162482   Message #3867147
Posted By: keberoxu
19-Jul-17 - 01:54 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Mary Blaize (Goldsmith, set by K. Rusby)
Subject: Elegy on the Glory of her Sex (Oliver Goldsmith)
Have not heard Kate Rusby's setting of this satirical Elegy.
Here's the poetry itself.

An Elegy on the Glory of her Sex.
Mrs. Mary Blaize.

Good people all, with one accord,
Lament for madam Blaize,
Who never wanted a good word, . . .
From those who spoke her praise.

The needy seldom pass'd her door,
And always found her kind;
She freely lent to all the poor . . .
Who left a pledge behind.

She strove the neighbourhood to please,
With manners wond'rous winning;
And never follow'd wicked ways, . . .
Unless, when she was sinning.

At church, in silks and satins new,
With hoops of monstrous size,
She never slumber'd in her pew, . . .
But when she shut her eyes.

Her love was sought, I do aver,
By twenty beaux and more;
The king himself has followed her. . .
When she has walk'd before.

But now her wealth and finery fled,
Her hangers-on cut short all;
Her doctors found, when she was dead, . . .
Her last disorder mortal.

Let us lament, in sorrow sore,
For Kent Street well may say,
That had she liv'd a twelve-month more, . . .
She had not dy'd today.

by Oliver Goldsmith,
from his Poetical Works