Boudoir Ballads

»See the chairs, like to couches of heather« / 3d Rendering, hess.works 2019

VII.

See the chairs, like to couches of heather;
The carpet, like moss to the tread;
And the screen of choice Cordovan leather,
The sofa as soft as a bed;
The quaint mirrors that came from Murano,
The skins of the chamois and sheep;
With the daintiest little piano,
And lounges that lull you to sleep.

XII.

See the basket of work half completed,
The braiding that's hardly begun,
And the pictures so girlfully treated,
The sketches all brimming with fun:
See the Cupids that clamour for kisses –
Well drawn by a dear little maid –
Ant the work of Old Masters,
young misses Have thrown for a time in shade!

Extract »Boudoir Ballads« von Joseph Ashby-Sterry
English poet, novelist and journalist & contributor to PUNCH