Antonio Ermolao Paoletti, Italian
“Hmm, I Like It But I Don’t Love It. Maybe I’ll Lease First,” Before 1885
Oil on board
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Info, or links that point to more info, about this artist can be found here (archived if necessary), here, here, and here, perhaps in addition to what’s in his Wikipedia page (Google translated Italian Wikipedia page may have more).
/// While the salesmen stand by, looking bored,
Cavalier makes his Choice of the Sword.
He thrusts down with strong grip,
blunts then breaks off the tip
of this weapon he cannot afford.
/// Cavalier wears a sword at his waist.
He is right-handed— see where it’s placed.
So, his sinister hand
tried to stab stone and sand.
That’s the reason he’s just been disgraced.
/// The roadway, with small stones is paved.
When the blade broke the swordmakers raved.
Cavalier took their point.
With his blood they’d anoint
him, unless he gives up all he’s saved.
/// Young D’Artagnan’s poor sword skill appears
to have brought forth just jeers, leers and sneers.
He claimed villains would run
if they’d give him a gun.
“Do they not call you three, ‘musketeers’?”