AT THE SIGN OF THE COCK

(FRENCH STYLE, 1898)

(Being an Ode in further "Contribution to the Song of French History," dedicated, without malice or permission, to Mr. George Meredith)

I

ROOSTER her sign,

Rooster her pugnant note, she struts

Evocative, amazon spurs aprick at heel;

Nid-nod the authentic stump

Of the once ensanguined comb vermeil as wine;

With conspuent doodle-doo