52
POEMS.
Beauteous in our life's young morning, in its noon and evening brief,
Sanctified by joy and sorrow,—though we fade as doth a leaf!
Sanctified by joy and sorrow,—though we fade as doth a leaf!
PRIMA DONNA.
LET others boast their singers fine—
Sims Reeves and Mary Davies,—
I know a greater far than these
A little 'rara avis!'
Sims Reeves and Mary Davies,—
I know a greater far than these
A little 'rara avis!'
She equals Santley's purest notes,
Albani's tuneful measure,
E'en Titiens cannot vie with her
Or give me half such pleasure.
Albani's tuneful measure,
E'en Titiens cannot vie with her
Or give me half such pleasure.
For me she sits and sings all day,
A song that none can capture,
It is so fairy-like and low,
Yet, full of careless rapture.
A song that none can capture,
It is so fairy-like and low,
Yet, full of careless rapture.
Then can you wonder that my heart
Should fondly dote upon her,
And that within my world she stands
The only Prima Donna!
Should fondly dote upon her,
And that within my world she stands
The only Prima Donna!
But you would like to know her name,
If she be young and pretty?
I think her both, but you don't know
My dainty Persian Kitty!
If she be young and pretty?
I think her both, but you don't know
My dainty Persian Kitty!
