Not so my little sponsor. She, with eyes <br />Proudly unconscious of my fool's display, <br />Talked volubly to all and scorned disguise, <br />While Madame Blanche herself, no less than they, <br />Smiled us a welcome, and with upraised hands <br />Disclaimed excuse and led us straightway through <br />To an inner room as to a Conference. <br />There I first saw to my amazement new <br />That fair white mystery, a woman's dress, <br />And heard its language spoken. Stuffs were brought <br />And cards unrolled before us, braids and lace <br />Lauded and handled and their merits taught <br />To ears that listened and to eyes that saw <br />Their secret sense, the law within the law.<br /><br />Wilfrid Scawen Blunt<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/esther-a-sonnet-sequence-xlvi/
