Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
Take from the dresser of deal,
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
“Seem” could also be referring to the “wenches” and “boys,” as they are described by the speaker in terms of what they are wearing and how they are keeping up appearances by bringing flowers to the funeral. These are the struggles that people face in their lives daily, as they make choices that will dictate how they “seem” to others. Meanwhile, the woman who has passed away reached the finale and is who she is, without having to deal with how she appears to others.
The Emperor of Ice Cream