Classic Poem

(Ballade des femmes de Paris)

Take those famed for language fair,
Past, or in the present tense,
Each good as Love's messenger:
Florentines, Venetiennes.
Roman girls, Lombardiennes,
Girls whose names Geneva carries,
Piedmont girls, Savoysiennes;
No lips speak like those of Paris.

Though for grace of language are
Famed the Neapolitans,
And in chattering Germans share
Pride of place with Prussians.
Taking Greeks, Egyptians,
Austrians, whom no rhyme marries,
Spanish girls, Castillians;
No lips speak like those of Paris.

Bretonnes, Swiss, their language mar,
Gascon girls, Toulousiennes;
Two fish-fags would close their jar
On Petit Pont, Lorrainiennes,
English girls, Calaisiennes —
All the world my memory harries —
Picard girls, Valenciennes:
No lips speak like those of Paris.

ENVOI

Prince, to fair Parisiennes
Give the prize, nor turn where tarries
One who saith " Italians. "
No lips speak like those of Paris.