The Rose Diamond Ring verses

Introduction by Hester Thrale

Here was a Rose Diamond Ring to be ramed for by 50 People at 5s. each1 —My eldest Daughter threw 51. & there remained only Dr Harington to contest it; he refused to take his Chance, and sent her the following Verses.

Fifty one! and the Doctor remaining to throw,
So vain and presumptuous good Doctor,—Oh No!
’Gainst Thrale and her Sixes, by Heavens not I,
Her Sister Minerva’s been cogging the Die;—
Adieu to all Contest, the prize be her own—
’Tis from such Coalitions the World is oerthrown.

She looked as if She wished me to give him an Answer; so in about four Minutes I sent him these four Lines.

To a Maiden of Twenty some Chance for a Ring,
Is no such surprizing or wonderful Thing;
But the Letter was luck, and She got me to tell ye on’t,
As the Diamonds were Rose, while the Verses are brilliant.

Written by Hester Lynch Thrale.
Thraliana entry Bath. Dated 6 February 1784. 1 = 5 shillings is equivalent to 25 pence in new UK money. Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout.