You like not that French novel? Tell me why. <br />You think it quite unnatural. Let us see. <br />The actors are, it seems, the usual three: <br />Husband, and wife, and lover. She--but fie! <br />In England we'll not hear of it. Edmond, <br />The lover, her devout chagrin doth share; <br />Blanc-mange and absinthe are his penitent fare, <br />Till his pale aspect makes her over-fond: <br />So, to preclude fresh sin, he tries rosbif. <br />Meantime the husband is no more abused: <br />Auguste forgives her ere the tear is used. <br />Then hangeth all on one tremendous IF:-- <br />If she will choose between them. She does choose; <br />And takes her husband, like a proper wife. <br />Unnatural? My dear, these things are life: <br />And life, some think, is worthy of the Muse.<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/modern-love-xxv-you-like-not-that-french-novel/
