Chapter VII Caps and Beavers in Colonial Days
“So many poynted cappes
Lased with double flaps
And soe gay felted cappes
Saw I never.
“So propre cappes
So lyttle hattes
And so false hartes
Saw I never.”
—“The Maner of the World Nowe-a-dayes,” JOHN SKELTON, 1548.
“The Turk in linen wraps his head
The Persian his in lawn, too,
The Russ with sables furs his cap
And change will not be drawn to.
“The Spaniard’s constant to his block
The Frenchman inconstant ever;
But of all felts that may be felt
Give me the English beaver.
“The German loves his coney-wool
The Irishman his shag, too,
The Welsh his Monmouth loves to wear
And of the same will brag, too”
—“A Challenge for Beauty,” THOMAS HAYWARD