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Kenneth Slessor - La Dame Du Palais De La Reine
Work rating: Low

SOPHIE, in shocks of scarlet lace, 
 Receives her usual embrace 
 Beneath a hedge, behind a curtain, 
 Or in the chambers of His Grace. 
 Whether a kiss be worth the care 
 Five minions wasted on her hair, 
 Sophie herself is half uncertain, 
 Paused in adorable despair. 
 When past beseeching Man she floats 
 In golden-coasted petticoats, 
 A shaft of irritation passes; 
 Like colic; but with antidotes. 
 Then serious doubts occur of Love 
 That spoils the Peacock, sours the Dove, 
 And mixes up the lower classes 
 So hopelessly with those above. 
 Is the bird Passion worth the lime? 
 Can the small Amor turn to crime 
 By ruining skirts—and the digestion? 
 Such problems occupy her time. 
 But often these objections thaw 
 To counts with viols—or grooms with straw— 
 And Sophie, giving up the question, 
 Bends to some strange but natural law. 
 With books of music, diamond rings, 
 Spaniels and roses, fireworks, swings, 
 Her lovers come. But Sophie sighs, 
 Whose thoughts are fixed on Higher Things. 
 Between the sleepy kisses given, 
 Her mind by grave debate is driven, 
 Perplexity distracts those eyes 
 Which, lovers vow, are lost in Heaven!
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