The Can-Can At Valentino’s

THE first, a mare; the second, ‘twixt bow—wow
And pussy—cat, a cross; the third, a beast
To baffle Buffon; the fourth, not the least
In hideousness, nor last; the fifth, a cow;
The sixth, Chimera; the seventh, Sphinx; … Come now,
ONE woman, France, ere this frog—hop have ceased,
And it shall be enough. A toothsome feast
Of blackguardism … and bald row,
No doubt for such as love those same. For me,
I confess, William, and avow to thee,
(Soft in thine ear) that such sweet female whims
Are not a passion of mine naturally.