IN days of ancient history br Who were you? Tell me if you know. br Between your kisses answer me br To-night, Chicot. br br Were you a faun by Castaly br Tracking Urania or Clio? br Or a white boy in Arcady br Astray, Chicot? br br Were you a satin-supple page br Swinging a curtain to and fro, br Chanting some impudent addage br Of love, Chicot? br br Were you the subtlest cardinal br That ever blessing did bestow? br At Fontarabia did you fall, br Fighting, Chicot? br br Or at some monarch' table set, br Did the bells twink at wrist and toe? br Were you Brusquet or Dagonet, br Or else, Chicot? br br Something you were of all of these, br Wise, gay, serene--that hid below, br More sad for all your subtleties, br Something, Chicot. br br You brace your armor well tonight,-- br Too well for any blood to flow; br You'd not betray in any fight br A wound, Chicot! br br I think you would not flinch beneath br Life's whips, but after every blow br Stand up again, and set your teeth br And smile, Chicot.