Cotmania. Vol. XI. 1935-6

It was thanks to your kind invitation
(Grace aussi au Ciel, je pense)
That I spent, in Christmas vacation
A fortnight, dear Sydney, at Vence.

There clusters in modest seclusion
A colony, small and select,
Impatient of vulgar intrusion,
In dress, as in manner, correct;

Mr. Payne (with a hat shop in Paris)
Miss Shaw, Mrs Hamilton Gray,
The Moncrieffs, in their homespun from Harris,
Mr Kitson, F.R.I.B.A

There tourists, at ease in their taxis,
May view, without effort or sweat,
Congesta tot oppida saxis,
For instance St Paul and Tourettes.

But I thought that for me it was meeter,
(For I couldn't go walking with you)
To climb Le Gourdon with Peter
And plunge in the Gorge of the Loup.

I plodded on higher and higher
On a stony and arduous path,
While you 'warmed both hands' by the fire
Provided by Lady de Bath.