This poem by William S Gilbert was written in France,
after an attack of typhoid fever which necessitated his head being shaven.
Standing in the street, he watched Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie process
nearby, and, as the poem states, they ‘observed him with appreciation! . .
.'
To the
Emperor she said:
"How beautiful the head
Of that youth of gallant mien,
Cropped so neat and close and clean
Though I own he’s rather lean."
Said the
Emperor: "It is!
And I never saw a phiz
More wonderful than 'is."