Dressing gowns

I was not cut out for a life in academe.

My pathetic clutch of 'O' and 'A' levels saw to that.

And neither was I suited to a career in haute couture,

as my present wardrobe will testify,

but in the programme for the degree awards' ceremony

I found a perfect collision of the two worlds:

a description of the academical gowns

for each of the degrees.

So should I wish to,

I could imagine a  collection of jackets
and dresses

fashioned from some of these
delightful combinations.

Scarlet cloth lined with dove-coloured silk,

that is silk of a turquoise-blue shot with rose pink.

Doctor of Divinity

Scarlet cloth lined with light cherry silk.

Doctor of Law

Scarlet cloth lined with pink silk shot with light blue.

Doctor of Science

Cream damask, lined with dark cherry satin.

Doctor of Music

Black corded silk lined with bronze silk,

the hood part-lined with scarlet cloth.

Doctor of Engineering

Black cloth lined with scarlet silk.

Master of Letters

Black cloth lined with slate blue silk.

Master of Mathematics

Black cloth lined with dark plum silk.

Master of Research

Black corded silk lined with yellow silk.

Master of Studies

Black cloth lined with blue silk.

Master of Philosophy

Black cloth lined with dark green silk.

Black cloth lined with light green silk.

Master of Finance