Emile Victor Rieu

The Flattered Flying Fish

Said the Shark to the Flying Fish over the phone:
"Will you join me tonight? I am dining alone.
Let me order a nice little dinner for two!
And come as you are, in your shimmering blue”.

Said the Flying Fish: "Fancy remembering me,
And the dress that I wore to the Porpoises’ tea"!
"How could I forget?" said the Shark in his guile.
"I expect you at eight", and rang off with a smile.

She has powdered her nose, she has put on her things,
She is off with one flap of her luminous wings.
O little one, lovely, light-hearted and vain,
The Moon will not shine on your beauty again!