A Rondeau to Ethel

“IN teacup-times”! The style of dress  
Would suit your beauty, I confess;  
 BELINDA-like, the patch you ’d wear;  
 I picture you with powdered hair,—  
You ’d make a charming Shepherdess!  
And I—no doubt—could well express  
SIR PLUME’S complete conceitedness,—  
 Could poise a clouded cane with care  
 “In teacup-times”!  
 
The parts would fit precisely—yes:
We should achieve a huge success!  
 You should disdain, and I despair,  
 With quite the true Augustan air;  
But … could I love you more, or less,—  
 “In teacup-times”?