POSTHUMOUS COQUETRY by THEOPHILE GAUTIER

Let there be laid, when I am dead,
Ere 'neath the coffin-lid I lie,
Upon my cheek a little red,
A little black about the eye.
For I in my close bier would fain,
As on the night his vows were made,
Rose-red eternally remain,
With kohl beneath my blue eye laid.
Wind me no shroud of linen down
My body to my feet, but fold
The white folds of my muslin gown
With thirteen flounces as of old.
This shall go with me where I go:
I wore it when I won his heart;
His first look hallowed it, and so,
For him, I laid the gown apart.
No immortelles, no broidered grace
Of tears upon my cushions be;
Lay me on my pillow's lace,
My hair across it like a sea.
That pillow, those mad nights of old,
Has seen our slumbering brows unite,
And neath the gondola's black fold
Has counted kisses infinite.
Between my hands of ivory,
Together set for prayer and rest,
Place then the opal rosary
The holy Pope at Rome has blest.
I will lie down then on that bed
And sleep the sleep that shall not cease;
His mouth upon my mouth has said
Pater and Ave for my peace.

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