THE PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY'S HUSBAND.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 22, 12 February 1881, Page 217

THE PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY'S HUSBAND.

(Some way after Edgar Poe.) • Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, limp and weary, Kicked my legs about the ball-room, blocking' up the narrow door ; While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly I heard a snapping, And I saw a husband tapping— as his wife passed by the door, " "Tis a P.B.s husband," said I— tapping on the ballroom floor With Ms foot: and nothing- more. Presently his soul grew stronger ; hesitating- then no longer, " Dear," he said, " 'tis late ; and homeward with me come, I do implore : " I have seen your smiles entrancing ; I have watched your endless dancing, " And you mustn't think it snapping if I say that standing napping, "All unheeded, while your lovers are so happy, is a bore." Then she left him ; nothing more. Back into the doorway turning, all his soul within him burning, I could hear that husband swearing— dreadful oaths I'd heard before ; And I could not help agreeing that no human living being Ever showed such signs of sorrow as that husband's visage bore As he muttered hoarsely, " Hang her 1" (oh, hia heart was very sore !) " Hang her !" said he : nothing more. But the P. 8., never sitting, round the ball-room still was flitting, While the pallid husband waited, just inside the chamber door ; And his eyes had all the seeming of a demon's that was dreaming As he saw the lovers scheming ; and he longed to shed their gore As he saw the dancers streaming o'er the slinov bees. waxed floor, c To have finished nevermore. " P Vdevil? ri ° d I1 '' " th " lg ° f eVil ! Very » retfc y» though. "By the Prince who benda above us, by the swells we DotH auore ! " Tell this soul, with sorrow laden, if thou ever werst a maiden "Such as used to dance and marry in the happy days of "la there— is there virtue in thee? tell rue, P. 8., I Quoth the beauty, " You're a bore I"