Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AT MADAME TUSSAUD'S IN VICTORIAN YEARS, by THOMAS HARDY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: That same first-fiddler who leads the orchestra tonight Last Line: Yes; gamuts that graced forty years'-flight were not a small thing! Subject(s): Tussaud's Wax Museum; Waxworks | ||||||||
'THAT same first fiddler who leads the orchestra to-night Here fiddled four decades of years ago; He bears the same babe-like smile of self-centred delight, Same trinket on watch-chain, same ring on the hand with the bow. 'But his face, if regarded, is woefully wanner, and drier, And his once dark beard has grown straggling and gray; Yet a blissful existence he seems to have led with his lyre, In a trance of his own, where no wearing or tearing had sway. 'Mid these wax figures, who nothing can do, it may seem That to do but a little thing counts a great deal; To be watched by kings, councillors, queens, may be flattering to him - With their glass eyes longing they too could wake notes that appeal.' Ah, but he played staunchly - that fiddler - whoever he was, With the innocent heart and the soul-touching string: May he find the Fair Haven! For did he not smile with good cause? Yes; gamuts that graced forty years'-flight were not a small thing! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN THE HOUSE OF WAX by JOHN HAINES ASSASSINATION OF JOHN LENNON ... TUSSAUD WAX MUSEUM by DAVID WOJAHN AND THERE WAS A GREAT CALM' by THOMAS HARDY MEN WHO MARCH AWAY' (SONG OF THE SOLDIERS) by THOMAS HARDY A BROKEN APPOINTMENT by THOMAS HARDY A CHRISTMAS GHOST-STORY; CHRISTMAS-EVE 1899 by THOMAS HARDY |
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