The old mark of rouge upon your cheeks,
You prate of Nature! you are he
That spilt his life about the cliques.
A Timon you! Nay, nay, for shame:
It looks too arrogant a jest—
The fierce old man—to take his name
You bandbox. Off, and let him rest.
Alcibiades.
Punch. February 28, 1846.
There is little reason to doubt that Tennyson wrote these lines, although they are not included in his works. Lady Lytton’s description of her future husband, as he first appeared to her, justifies this charge of foppery brought against him.