Classic Poem

RAT-TAT it went upon the lion's chin.
" That hat, I know it! " cried the joyful girl;
" Summer's it is, I know him by his knock,
Comers like him are welcome as the day!
Lizzy! go down and open the street-door,
Busy I am to any one but him .
Know him you must — he has been often here;
Show him up stairs, and tell him I 'm alone. "

Quickly the maid went tripping down the stair;
Thickly the heart of Rose Matilda beat;
" Sure he has brought me tickets for the play —
Drury — or Covent Garden — darling man! —
Kemble will play — or Kean who makes the soul
Tremble; in Richard or the frenzied Moor —
Farren, the stay and prop of many a farce
Barren beside — or Liston, Laughter's Child —
Kelly the natural, to witness whom
Jelly is nothing to the public's jam —
Cooper, the sensible — and Walter Knowles
Super, in William Tell — now rightly told.
Better — perchance, from Andrews, brings a box,
Letter of boxes for the Italian stage —
Brocard! Donzelli! Taglioni! Paul!
No card, — thank heaven — engages me to night!
Feathers, of course, no turban, and no toque —
Weather's against it, but I'll go in curls.
Dearly I dote on white — my satin dress,
Merely one night — it won't be much the worse —
Cupid — the New Ballet I long to see —
Stupid! why don't she go and ope the door! "

Glistened her eye as the impatient girl
Listened, low bending o'er the topmost stair.
Vainly, alas! she listens and she bends,
Plainly she hears this question and reply:
" Axes your pardon, Sir, but what d'ye want? "
" Taxes, " says he, " and shall not call again! "