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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE EMPEROR OF ICE-CREAM by WALLACE STEVENS

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: CALL THE ROLLER OF BIG CIGARS
Last Line: THE ONLY EMPEROR IS THE EMPEROR OF ICE-CREAM.
Subject(s): ICE CREAM;

Call the roller of big cigars,
Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Let be be the finale of seem.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
Take from the dresser of deal,

Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
Take from the dresser of deal.
On which she embroidered fantails once
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
And spread it so as to cover her face.
On which she embroidered fantails once
If her horny feet protrude, they come
And spread it so as to cover her face.
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
Let the lamp affix its beam.
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
Let the lamp affix its beam.

The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.




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