ST JOHN OF BOHEMIA.
23
Into a place of shining state
The child-musician went,
In violet velvet, to await
Court-kiss and compliment.
The child-musician went,
In violet velvet, to await
Court-kiss and compliment.
. . . And lo, a palace maiden bright,
A vision to admire,
A creature made of rose and white
And gold, in brave attire!
A vision to admire,
A creature made of rose and white
And gold, in brave attire!
The boy raised his flower-face as she
Passed him with slow regret:
"I say, and will you marry me,
Miss Marie Antoinette?"
Passed him with slow regret:
"I say, and will you marry me,
Miss Marie Antoinette?"
"I dare not; what would mother say?—
I mean the Empress, child,"
The enchanted princess answered. They
Who listened stared and smiled.
I mean the Empress, child,"
The enchanted princess answered. They
Who listened stared and smiled.
She tossed her shining head a bit,
With one bright backward glance;
And Wolfgang Mozart wept when it
Gilded the axe of France.
With one bright backward glance;
And Wolfgang Mozart wept when it
Gilded the axe of France.