'Twas in a village in Lorraine <br /> Whose name I quite forget, <br />I found I needfully was fain <br /> To buy a serviette. <br />I sought a shop wherein they sell <br /> Such articles as these, <br />And told a smiling mademoiselle; <br /> 'I want a towel, please.' <br /> <br />'Of kinds,' said she, 'I've only two,' <br /> And took the bundles down; <br />And one was coloured azure blue, <br /> And one was khaki brown. <br />With doubt I scratched my hoary head; <br /> The quality was right; <br />The size too, yet I gravely said: <br /> 'Too bad you haven't white.' <br /> <br />That pretty maid had sunny hair, <br /> Her gaze was free from guile, <br />And while I hesitated there <br /> She watched me with a smile. <br />Then as I went to take the blue <br /> She said 'Non' meaning no. <br />'Ze khaki ones are best, M'sieu: <br /> Ze dirts zey do not show.'<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tourist/
