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At five precisely out went La Marquise
When masons clutch the breath we held on loan
Old corned-beef's rusty armour spreads disease
While sharks to let's say potted shrimps are prone
And yet 'twas he the beggar Fate just flings
Rejecting ermine to become a knave
The learning linguist cameramaniac sings
Victorious worms grind all into the grave
It's no good rich men crying Heaven Bless
In indian summers Englishmen drink grog
While homeward thirsts to each quenched glass say yes
Southern baroque's seductive dialogue
Ventriloquists be blowed you strike me dumb
In cognac brandy is Bacardi rum?


Raymond Queneau

Translation to English by Stanley Chapman
found in "Oulipo Compendium"
Atlas 1998, ISBN 0-947757-96-1

Idea and implementation by Magnus Bodin 1997
Produced in the wonderful country of Sweden.