Paroles

Miss Ellen, pour the tea for me
Into the charming China cup,
Where golden fish swim frantically,
Pursued by rosy beasts that sup.
I love the wild and fanciful
Chimeras tamed within this scene:
Miss Ellen, pour the tea for me
Into the charming China cup.
There, 'neath a crimson, angry sky,
A lady proud yet sly to see
Shows in her turquoise eyes so long
Both rapture and simplicity:
Miss Ellen, pour the tea for me.

(Théodore de Banville, Josy Peschon)