Page:Rudyard Kipling's verse - Inclusive Edition 1885-1918.djvu/693

 INCLUSIVE EDITION, 1885-1918 675

There was never a Queen like Balkis,

From here to the wide world's end; But Balkis talked to a butterfly

As you would talk to a friend.

There was never a King like Solomon,

Not since the world began; But Solomon talked to a butterfly

As a man would talk to a man.

She was Queen of Sabaea

And he was Asia's Lord But they both of 'em talked to butterflies

When they took their walks abroad!

The Butterfly That Stamped.

THE LOOKING-GLASS

{A Country Dance)

QUEEN Bess was Harry's daughter. Stand forward partners all !

In ruff and stomacher and gown She danced King Philip down-a down, And left her shoe to show 'twas true

(The very tune I'm playing you) In Norgem at Brickwall ! l

The Queen was in her chamber, and she was middling old, Her petticoat was satin, and her stomacher was gold. Backward and forward and sideways did she pass, Making up her mind to face the cruel looking-glass. The cruel looking-glass that will never show a lass As comely or as kindly or as young as what she was!

Queen Bess was Harry 's daughter. Now hand your partners all!

'A pair of Queen Elizabeth's shoes are still at Brickwall House, North- iam, Sussex.