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Photo of Dame Edith Sitwell

Sitwell, Dame Edith

Email Poem - Came the Great PopinjayEmail Poem

Came the Great Popinjay

 CAME the great Popinjay 
Smelling his nosegay: 
In cages like grots 
The birds sang gavottes. 
'Herodiade's flea 
Was named sweet Amanda, 
She danced like a lady 
From here to Uganda. 
Oh, what a dance was there! 
Long-haired, the candle 
Salome-like tossed her hair 
To a dance tune by Handel.' . . . 
Dance they still? Then came 
Courtier Death, 
Blew out the candle flame 
With civet breath.



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