A long time ago in Childhood's Land,
A troop of sweet ladies I knew,
If the truth must be told, I myself
Was their lady's maid, patient and true!
I served them, I dressed them, I took them to walk,
I made the fine clothes that they wore;
Very dainty,—and delicate, too, were they all,
For they never arose until four!
Wide were their flounces of crimson or white,
A little old fashioned for now;
Prim were their figures—ah, yes, I must own,
Their heads they never could bow!
Their heads were so round and so small and so green—
Not clever nor learnèd were they;
But then, they were only Four o'Clock Ladies,
And their life, 'twas a short one and gay!