The alleycats of Hashan yammer
Hiss and scratch and fight
The mongrels of the Quarter quire
What is this blinding bright?

There's pennants all along the rooftops
Up and down Paradise Road
Sybil's left the dogs to see me
Even Ornan's taken off his load

As fireworks and lanterns fill
My Darkness with their splendour
And punters squash and curse and jostle
Between the bookies and the vendors

This carnival of queer design
Erupting from the cobbles
That leaves the Court awash in colour
Amidst her murk and squabbles

But what, perchance, could be the cause
As glitter rains from up above?
Why nothing more, nor any less
Than Quinlyn V's in love.

Penned by my hand on the 12th of Phaestian, in the year 965 AF.