Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN ANECDOTE by JOHN BYROM

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR HAD BEEN TO WAIT
Last Line: THE UPPER ROOMS ARE FURNISH'D WORST OF ALL.
Subject(s): SIZE & SHAPE;

THE French Ambassador had been to wait
On James the First, in equipage of state:
@3Bacon@1 was by; to whom the king began—
"Well now, my lord, what think you of the man?"
@3He's a tall proper person, sir,@1 said he—
"Aye," said the king, "that any one may see;
"But what d'ye think of head-piece in the case?
"Is he a proper person for his place?"
My lord, who thought he was not, I suppose,
Gave him this answer, as the story goes—
@3Tall men are oft like houses that are tall;
The upper rooms are furnish'd worst of all.@1



Home: PoetryExplorer.net