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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FACADE: 13. CAME THE GREAT POPINJAY by EDITH SITWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: CAME THE GREAT POPINJAY
Last Line: WITH CIVET BREATH.

CAME the great Popinjay
Smelling his nosegay:
In cages like grots
The birds sang gavottes.
"Herodiade's flea
Was named sweet Amanda,
She danced like a lady
From here to Uganda.
Oh, what a dance was there!
Long-haired, the candle
Salome-like tossed her hair
To a dance-tune by Handel" . . .
Dance they still? Then came
Courtier Death,
Blew out the candle-flame
With civet breath.



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