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The Works of Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Edited with Preface and Notes by William M. Rossetti: Revised and Enlarged Edition

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THE CAN-CAN AT VALENTINO'S

[_]

(N.B.—The numerical characteristics refer to the danseuses.)

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 [OMITTED]
Are not a passion of mine naturally. [OMITTED]