To a Lady on April Fool Day 1758

Introduction by Hester Thrale

I was intimate when about fourteen with a Young Lady then very eminent for Beauty and in the full Bloom of it; She was 18. in short it was Fanny Wynne [Later Mrs Henry Soamme] who for Admirers counted every Man She saw almost & justly too. on the 1st of April 1758 therefore I got a new neat large Bandbox and writing the following Verses upon a Sheet of Gilt Paper laid it in the Box, then tying the Box up nicely with red Tape & sending it directed to Miss Wynne by a Chairman I fancied myself the most cunning of Mortals: I kept my own Counsel as it is called, & when She repeated the Lines to me for I soon followed my Bandbox, did not give her the least hint that they were mine—She never knew it to this Hour here are the Verses.

“With the Simple ’tis a Rule
Once a Year to make a Fool;
And Horace’ Self as well you know
Loves to fool it—a prospòs.
Oh then how great my Wisdom’s Fame
When I shew fair Fannia’s Name !
Fannia! by the Gods design'd
To make a Fool of half Mankind.
Glory of her Ancient Race,
Envy of Each beauteous Face !
Happy he who once a Year
Can make a Fool of such a Fair
But the happiest Lot will fall
To him who fools her—once for all.

                                               Corydon.”

Written by Hester Lynch Thrale April 1758.
Thraliana entry dated June 1777. Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout.