Enough Rope/Renunciation

by Dorothy Parker

Renunciation

CHLOE’S hair, no doubt, was brighter;
 Lydia’s mouth more sweetly sad;
Hebe’s arms were rather whiter;
 Languorous-lidded Helen had
Eyes more blue than e’er the sky was
Lalage’s was subtler stuff;
Still, you used to think that I was
 Fair enough.

Now you’re casting yearning glances
 At the pale Penelope;
Cutting in on Claudia’s dances;
 Taking Iris out to tea.
Iole you find warm-hearted;
 Zoë’s cheek is far from rough,—
Don’t you think it’s time we parted? . . .
 Fair enough!

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