TIME SPENT IN DRESS XIII

 

In many a lecture, many a book,

You all have heard, you all have read,

That time is precious. Of its use

Much has been written, much been said.

There’s not a more productive source

Of waste of time to the young mind

Than dress; as it regards our hours,

My view of it is now confined.

Without some calculation, youth

May live to age, and never guess

That no one study they pursue

Takes half the time they give to dress.

Write in your memorandum¹ book

The time you at your toilette spend;

Then, every moment which you pass

Talking of dress with a young friend;

And ever when your silent thoughts

Have on this subject been intent,

Set down as nearly as you can,

How long on dress your thoughts were bent².

If faithfully you should perform

This task, ’twould teach you to repair

Lost hours, by giving unto dress

Not more of time than its due share.

1 memorandum   

n.备忘录，便笺

参考例句：

• The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
• The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。

2 bent   

n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的

参考例句：

• He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
• We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。