L'esprit de l'escalier

The French call it l’esprit de l’escalier –
The answer that occurs to you too late,
The cutting words you didn’t think to say
In time to save you from a bitter fate.
The moment passed, you missed your chance, alas;
You didn't speak in time, you failed to score.
Too late to deal your foe the coup de grâce,
Red-faced, you creep downstairs and out the door.
You can’t return, burst in the room and cry:
‘I’ve just remembered what I should have said!’
Your enemy would look you in the eye
And sneer, and you’d just wish that you were dead.
So swallow your hurt pride, there’s no going back,
But if you meet again, give him a smack.