The Petticoat: an Heroi-comical Poem/Dedication

by John Durant Breval

Layout 2

 

TO THE

LADIES.

 

Ladies,

HE Invention of the Fan, and the Pattin^[1], having gain'd your approbation, I hope this of the Hoop-Petticoat, as the Design is laudable, will come in for a small share of your Favour.

Tho' I am no less than Cousin-German to the Author of those admir'd Productions: Yet, I, by no means, desire to Graft a Reputation upon his Stock; nay, I am so little sollicitous about the Fate of my Performance, that I shall conclude what I have to say upon the Subject, in the Words of a Celebrated Author.^[2]

What I have done is submitted to the Publick, from whose Opinions I am prepared to learn; tho' I fear no Judges so little as our best Poets, who are most sensible of the Weight of this Task. As for the Worst, whatever they shall please to say, they may give me some Concern as they are unhappy Men, but none, as they are malignant Writers.

 

Your very humble Servant,

Joseph Gay.

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1. See Trivia.
2. See Mr. Pope's Preface to his Translation of Homer.