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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


A BOX AT THE OPERA (PARIS - 1770) by GEORGE STEELE SEYMOUR

First Line: BOBO, MY SMELLING SALTS! THE AIR IS FETID
Last Line: IT'S THE DU BARRY. LA, HE'S GONE AND KISSED ME!
Subject(s): OPERA; PARIS, FRANCE;

Bobo, my smelling salts! The air is fetid
With last night's ordure. Quick, a cushion, page!
My back is breaking. Has the king been seated?
Who is that creature bawling on the stage?
Open the door, boy; whence comes all that knocking?
Ah, Marquis, charmed! Pray find yourself a chair.
The rabble hissed you? Why, how very shocking!
And called you names? I don't see how they'd dare!
Whatever are we coming to! I wonder
What France would seem if all that dirty horde
Should gain control -- the Jacobins who thunder
Along Boul' Miche. I'm sure we should be bored.
Dear me, they're rising! Pray, my lord, assist me.
It's the Du Barry. La, he's gone and kissed me!



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