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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FACADE: 20. THE SATYR IN THE PERIWIG by EDITH SITWELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE SATYR SCARABOMBARDON
Last Line: "TEAR OFF A SATYR'S PERIWIG!"

THE Satyr Scarabombardon
Pulled periwig and breeches on:
"Grown old and stiff, this modern dress
Adds monstrously to my distress.
The gout within a hoofen heel
Is very hard to bear; I feel
When crushed into a buckled shoe
The twinge will be redoubled, too;
And when I walk in gardens green
And, weeping, think on what has been,
Then wipe one eye, -- the other sees
The plums and cherries on the trees.
Small bird-quick women pass me by
With sleeves that flutter airily,
And baskets blazing like a fire
With laughing fruits of my desire:
Plums sunburnt as the King of Spain,
Gold-cheeked as any Nubian,
With strawberries all goldy-freckled,
Pears fat as thrushes and as speckled.
Pursue them? . . . Yes, and squeeze a tear:
'Please spare poor Satyr one, my dear!'
'Be off, sir! Go and steal your own!'
-- Alas, poor Scarabombardon,
Trees rend his ruffles, stretch a twig,
Tear off a satyr's periwig!"



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