With diamonds the boxes flashed and blazed: Bejewelled orders shone in the parterre. It was a ceremonial night: there were So many gems there that the @3claque@1 amazed Forgot to cheer, and e'en the gas was dazed, So many costly modish splendours there That the cowed gallery people gasped for air The while perspiringly they gazed and praised. The portly little @3diva@1, bribed with gold Enough to make twelve Miltons roll in wealth, Sang, somewhat out of voice, her refrain old. Six wreaths were flung her—th' impresario's part,— Four Grand Dukes went behind the scenes by stealth, And nothing lacked that night save only Art! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ECHOES: 7 by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY HAILSTORM IN MAY by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS HENRY PURCELL by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS UNDER THE SHADE OF THE TREES [MAY 10, 1863] by MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON THE LAND OF NOD by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON THEOCRITUS; A VILLANELLE by OSCAR WILDE THE LITTLE MATCH-GIRL by HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN |