THE BELLE OF THE BALL.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 1, 18 September 1880, Page 6

THE BELLE OF THE BALL.

They say that her suitor 3 are many : That her brow might a coronet wear, Yet her heart hath not fluttered for any Who flatter her loveliness there. ' Though a Dukedom enraptured is sighing, Though a Marquisate hangs at her call. To their prayers she is slow in replying, The Beautiful Belle of the Ball. A head like the fair Mediceon; A check blossom-pencilled so faint: Such as Ouida has given to the Scian, Or Alma Tadema might paint. Cherry lips unaffectedly smiling, Locks fair —with camellia fall. Stay! I love thee -already beguiling ; And Beautiful Belle of the Ball. What nonsense! 'tis heated my head is With CMteau-Lafifcte or Clicquot; Can it be that the word I have said is My heart's true-confession, or no ? A dance to slow music : in rapture A vision in " tulle" as my thrall: I confess to thy coquetry's capture, Oh 1 Beautiful Belle of the Ball. 'T is over : " a trois temps" is ended. May I hope for the coming quadrille ? Joy and love for a moment are blended To balance a lifetime of ill. It came when our laughter was flowing, " Miss 's carriage" the call, With a bow and a smile in the going She went the fair Belle of the Ball. A" bow and a smile from a Beauty Sxire are food for a lifetime of bliss And thoughts of past years are our duty To soften the sorrow of this., So when shadowy forms are straying From the past that I ne'er can recall Once more in the dance I am swaying With the beautiful Belle of the 8011. W. H. 0. Smbaton, Helensville.