Who’s Real?
Yes, “Careless” Mary Bellenden’s is real too. As annoying as it is to have a Molly and a Mary to keep straight, there wasn’t a lot I could do about it. Mary apparently regularly stole the show with her appearance, and her behavior. She certainly had the eye of the gentlemen poets of the day
THE HON. MARY BELLENDEN
Now to my heart the glance of Howard flies ;
Now Harvey, fair of face, I mark full well.
With thee, youth’s youngest daughter, Sweet Lepell,
I see two lovely sisters hand in hand,
The fair-haired Martha, and Teresa brown Madge Bellenden, the tallest of the land ;
And smiling Mary, soft and fair as down.
Epistle to- Mr. Pope by Gay.