Edmund Blair Leighton, English
Victorian Woman Suddenly Wishing She Hadn’t Worn Such a Skimpy Outfit, 1904
Oil on canvas
Follow That Is Priceless on Social Media and GoComics (the Link button):
Click to Follow This Blog or Share This Masterpiece:
THROWBACK THURSDAY: MASTERPIECE #1388 (2/18/16)
This comment has been removed by the author.
Artist info is pointed to in my comment at a later blog entry.
/// He’s not stalking, he’s more of a “browser,”
on display in his tight yellow trouser.
Rates each lady he’ll meet
as he strides down the street,
based on how much he thinks he’ll arouse her.
/// As for Kate, she paid Johnnie no mind.
She had often encountered his kind
hanging ‘round the stage door,
(they thought dancer meant “whore.”)
In that basket her snake was confined.
/// A live boa was used in her act.
She played “Eve being tempted,” in fact.
If men made Kate afraid
then, her snake she displayed.
Thus protected, she’s never attacked.
/// She’s no “dog”— Johnnie didn’t reject her,
nor did Kate use her serpent protector.
He attended her dances
before making advances,
and assuring Kate he would respect her.
/// It turns out, this odd pair is well-matched.
She enjoyed every scheme that he hatched,
and the snake she holds dear
caused the “rake” little fear
once he saw that it wasn’t attached.
/// I have mentioned he wasn’t a stalker.
Johnnie’s glib and a seasoned sweet-talker.
Show him snakes, and he’ll watch
as he sips on a Scotch.
What’s the drink of his choice? Johnnie Walker.
/// She said, ringing the bell, “Avon calling,”
but she hasn’t walked in. Why the stalling?
It’s the dandy down there
at the foot of the stair.
She suspects he’ll find make-up “enthralling.”