TALK about lazy time!--
Come to this sunny clime--
Life is flowing rhyme--
Pleasant its cadence
Zephyrs are blowing free
Over the summer sea,
Sprinkling deliciously
Merry Mermaidens!
Despite the torrid heat,
Toilettes are quite complete;
White are the little feet,
Fair are the tresses:
Maidens here swim or sink,
Clad in blue serge--I think
Some are in mauve or pink--
Gay are the dresses!
If you know Etretât,
You'll know _M'sieu là_--
Oh, such a strong papa!--
Ever out boating.
You'll know his babies too,
Toto and Lolalou,
All the long morning through
Diving and floating.
Oh what a merry crew!
Fresh from the water blue,
Rosy and laughing too--
Daring and dripping!
Look at each merry mite,
Held up a dizzy height,
Laughing from sheer delight--
Fearless of slipping!
He hath a figure grand--
Note, as he takes his stand,
Poised upon either hand,
Merry young mer-pets:
Drop them! You strong papa,
Swim back to Etretât!
Here comes their dear mamma,
Seeking for _her_ pets!
* * *
[Illustration: 'ARRY'S 'OLIDAY; B'LOGNE AND BACK]
[Illustration: HARRY'S SON'S HOLIDAY REMINISCENCES--HOLLAND
(_Drorn all by himself, and signed "Harry's Son"_)]
[Illustration: 'ARRY ON THE BOULEVARDS]