Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TOILET OF CONSTANCE, by JEAN FRANCOIS CASIMIR DELAVIGNE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TOILET OF CONSTANCE, by                    
First Line: Haste, anna! Did you hear me call?
Last Line: At the ambassador's of france.
Alternate Author Name(s): Delavigne, Casimir
Subject(s): Accidents; Dancing & Dancers; France; Youth


"Haste, Anna! Did you hear me call?
My mirror, quick! The hours advance:
To-night I'm going to the Ball
At the Ambassador's of France.
Just think—those bows were fresh and fair
Last eve—ah! beauty fades apace:
See, from the net that binds my hair
The azure tassels droop with grace.
Your hands are awkward, girl, to-night—
These sapphires well become my brow:
A pin has pricked me—set it right—
Dear Anna, I look charming now!
He, whom my fancy has beguiled
(Anna, my robe!) will be a guest—
(Fie, fie! that's not my necklace, child!
Those beads the Holy Father blest).
Oh! should his hand my fingers press
(At the mere thought I tremble, dear),
To-morrow, should I dare confess
The truth in Père Anselmo's ear?
Give me my gloves—now, all is well—
In the tall glass one final glance—
To-night, I long to be the belle
At the Ambassador's of France."

Close to the hearth she stood and gazed:
O God! a spark ignites her dress—
"Fire! Help!" When every hope was raised,
How sad such death for loveliness!
The flame voluptuously gnaws
Her arms—her breast—around—above—
And swallows with unpitying jaws
Her eighteen years, her dreams of love!
Farewell to all youth's visions gay!
They only said: "Ah! poor Constance!"
"And waltzed until the dawn of day
At the Ambassador's of France.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net