The Ambassador

Coat of purple stamped velvet, satin breeches to match

Of the same sober, elegant hue, white silk stockings

Of a texture so fine that their silver-thread clockings

Seem embroidered on nothing. A great gold-sealed watch.

The slightly bull neck is concealed by the fall
Of a cascade of point-lace imported from Brussels,
And ruffles of lace at the sleeve-ends hide muscles

Too thick for a man who would shine at a ball.

Monsieur l'Ambassadeur aims at all things, it seems:
Wit, duellist, banker, his lottery schemes

Are the whisper of Paris. He glitters to-day
Sardinia's envoy to France, whose finesse
Has taught him the power there is in display;
Note the painstaking fanfaronade of his dress.

That coat was embroidered in China! His air

Is a trifle bombastic as he walks up the stair.