1904

In 1904, I went to Strasbourg

for the Monday before Lent.

In the hotel, I sat by the fireside

near an opera singer

who only talked about the theatre.

The red-headed Kellnerine

was wearing a pink hat

such as Hebe, servant to the gods,

never had. Oh, things of beauty

- Carnival, pink hat, Ave!

In Rome, in Nice and in Cologne,

among the flowers and confetti,

Carnival, I've seen your ugly face.

Oh, richer, kinder king than Croesus,

Rothschild and Torlogne.

I ate a bit of foie gras for supper,

with tender venison,

pies, flans, etc.

A little kirsch warmed me up.

Why weren't you in my arms?