'Qui seme epines n'aille dechaux.' SCENE. -- A Salon with blue and white Panels. Outside, Persons pass and re-pass upon a Terrace. HORTENSE. ARMANDE. MONSIEUR LOYAL. HORTENSE (behind her fan). NOT young, I think. ARMANDE (raising her eye-glass). And faded, too! -- Quite faded! Monsieur, what say you? M. LOYAL. Nay, -- I defer to you. In truth, To me she seems all grace and youth. HORTENSE. Graceful? You think it? What, with hands That hang like this (with a gesture). ARMANDE. And how she stands! M. LOYAL. Nay, -- I am wrong again. I thought Her air delightfully untaught! HORTENSE. But you amuse me -- M. LOYAL. Still her dress, -- Her dress at least, you must confess -- ARMANDE. Is odious simply! JACOTOT Did not supply that lace, I know; And where, I ask, has mortal seen A hat unfeathered! HORTENSE. Edged with green! M. LOYAL. The words remind me. Let me say A Fable that I heard to-day. Have I permission? BOTH (with enthusiasm). Monsieur, pray! M. LOYAL. Myrtilla (lest a Scandal rise The Lady's Name I thus disguise), Dying of Ennui, once decided -- Much on Resource herself she prided -- To choose a Hat. Forthwith she flies On that momentous Enterprise. Whether to Petit or Legros, I know not: only this I know; -- Head-dresses then, of any Fashion, Bore Names of Quality or Passion. Myrtilla tried them, almost all: 'Prudence,' she felt, was somewhat small; 'Retirement' seemed the Eyes to hide; 'Content,' at once, she cast aside. 'Simplicity,' -- 'twas out of Place; 'Devotion,' for an older Face; Briefly, Selection smaller grew, 'Vexatious! odious!' -- none would do! Then, on a Sudden, she espied One that she thought she had not tried: Becoming, rather, -- 'edged with green,' -- Roses in yellow, Thorns between. 'Quick! Bring me that!' 'Tis brought. 'Complete, Superb, Enchanting, Tasteful, Neat,' In all the Tones. 'And this you call -- ?' '"ILL NATURE," Madame. It fits all.' HORTENSE. A thousand thanks! So naively turned! ARMANDE. So useful too ... to those concerned! 'Tis yours? M. LOYAL. Ah no, -- some cynic Wit's; And called (I think) -- (Placing his hat upon his breast), 'The Cap that Fits.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RAINY SEASON by CLARENCE MAJOR TO OUR BLESSED LADY (1) by HENRY CONSTABLE IDEA: 14. TO TIME by MICHAEL DRAYTON A POET'S EPITAPH by EBENEZER ELLIOTT ON THE DEATH OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK |