One day in the Tuileries, <br />When a southwest Spanish breeze <br />Brought scandalous news of the Queen, <br />The fair proud Empress said, <br />"My good friend loses her head; <br />If matters go on this way, <br />I shall see her shopping, some day, <br />In the Boulevard des Capucines." <br /> <br />The saying swiftly went <br />To the Place of the Orient, <br />And the stout Queen sneered, "Ah, well! <br />You are proud and prude, ma belle! <br />But I think I will hazard a guess <br />I shall see you one day playing chess <br />With the Curé of Carabanchel." <br /> <br />Both ladies, though not over-wise, <br />Were lucky in prophecies. <br />For the Boulevard shopmen well <br />Know the form of stout Isabel <br />As she buys her modes de Paris; <br />And after Sedan in despair <br />The Empress prude and fair <br />Went to visit Madame sa Mère <br />In her villa at Carabanchel <br />But the Queen was not there to see.<br /><br />John Hay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/boudoir-prophecies/
