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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DIXIT, ET IN MENSAM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now, don't look so glum and so sanctified, please
Last Line: Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.
Alternate Author Name(s): Brooks, Shirley
Variant Title(s): There's Never Harm In Good Company
Subject(s): Wit & Humor; Risque


(THE SCENE IS A PICNIC, AND MR. JOSEPH DE CLAPHAM VENTURES
TO THINK THAT HIS FIANCEE, THE LOVELY BELGRAVINIA,
IS A LITTLE TOO FAST.)

Now don't look so glum and so sanctified, please,
For folks, comme il faut, sir, are always at ease;
How dare you suggest that my talk is too free?
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

Must I shut up my eyes when I ride in the Park;
Or pray would you like me to ride after dark?
If not, Mr. Prim, I shall say what I see,
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

What harm am I speaking, you stupid old Nurse?
I'm sure Papa's newspaper tells us much worse,
He's a clergyman, too, are you stricter than he?
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

I knew who it was, and I said so, that's all;
I said who went round to her box from his stall,
Pray what is your next prohibition to be?
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

'My grandmother would not'--On, would not, indeed?
Just read Horace Walpole--Yes, sir, I do read.
Besides. What's my grandmother's buckram to me?
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

'I said it before that old roue, Lord Gadde;'
That is a story, he'd gone; and what harm if I had?
He has known me for years--from a baby of three.
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

You go to your Club (and this makes me so wild),
There you smoke and you slander, man, woman, and child;
But I'm not to know there's such people as she--
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

It's all your own fault: the Academy, sir,
You whispered to Philip, 'No, no, it's not her,--
Sir Edwin would hardly'--I heard, mon ami;
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.

Well there, I'm quite sorry; now, stop looking haughty,
Or must I kneel down on myu knees and say 'naughty'?
There! Get me a pesch, and I wish you'd agree
Il n'est jamais de mal en bon compagnie.





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