Poems (Scudder)/Her Ladyship's Fan

by Antoinette Quinby Scudder

HER LADYSHIP'S FAN

A sheath flower-slender
 Of nacre and gold—
But dared I unfurl it
 What might I behold?

A miniature garden
 Where under green trees
Are pacing sedately
 Duchesse and marquise

Displaying with studied
 And languorous grace
Their moon-tinted satins
 And shimmering lace?

Or maybe, a laughing,
 Adorable girl
Unveiling her shoulders'
 Peach-blossom and pearl

To the kiss of a cupid
 Who hovers near by
His azure-tipped winglets
 Scarce fitted to fly?

A gondola gliding
 Behind a white swan
Who harnessed with rosebuds
 Moves tranquilly on

Reclining within it
 A lady most fair
And seated beside her
 A youth debonair.

A zither he touches
 While both seem to sing—
Oh, her ladyship's fan
 Is an exquisite thing!

I'll summon up courage
 Sufficient for this—
Each tiny gilt spangle
 I'll lovingly kiss

Each whimsical spiral
 And fairy volute,
Its filmy lace roses
 And strange colored fruit.

So when she unfurls it—
 Must needs be anear
Her cheek, her red lips, or
 That maddening ear—

My kisses undreamed of
 Will hover and cling—
Oh, her ladyship's fan's an
 Adorable thing!