Wallace Stevens

From “Pecksniffiana”

Aux taureaux Dieu cornes donne

Et sabots durs aux chevaux….

Why are not women fair,

All, as Andromache—

Having, each one, most praisable

Ears, eyes, soul, skin, hair?

Good God! That all beasts should have

The tusks of the elephant,

Or be beautiful

As large, ferocious tigers are.

It is not so with women.

I wish they were all fair,

And walked in fine clothes,

With parasols, in the afternoon air.