Classic Poem

Coat of purple stamped with 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 today
Sardinia's envoy to France, whose finesse
Has taught him the power there is in display;
Note the painstaking fanfaronade of his dress.

The coat was embroidered in China! His air
Is a trifle bombastic as he walks up the stair.