Page:Lost Galleon (1867).djvu/32

30 But every woman's claim to ton

Depends upon

The team she drives, whether phaeton,

Landeau, or britzka. Hence it 's plain

That Rose, who was of her toilette vain,

Should have a team that ought to be

Equal to any in all Paris!

"Bring forth the horse!"—the commissaire

Bowed, and brought Miss Rose a pair

Leading an equipage rich and rare:

"Why doth that lovely lady stare?"

Why? The tail of the off gray mare

Is bobbed—by all that 's good and fair!

Like the shaving brushes that soldiers wear,

Scarcely showing as much back-hair

As Tam O'Shanter's "Meg,"—and there

Lord knows she 'd little enough to spare.

That stare and frown the Frenchman knew,

But did—as well-bred Frenchmen do:

Raised his shoulders above his crown,

Joined his thumbs, with the fingers down,