Classic Poem

The other night I went with Vida
To hear the opera, " Aida, "
Which offers musical descriptions
Of love among the old Egyptians.
Amneris, — (lovely Madame Homer,
A star, and that is no misnomer) —
A Princess, was exceeding partial
To young Radames, brave and martial,
Whose heart, alas! was palpitating
About the royal maid-in-waiting
Aida — (Madame Emmy Destinn,
Who really didn't look her best in
A sable frock with golden borders).
Radames, getting marching orders,
Led forth to war his gallant bowmen
And soon returned with captive foemen,
Among these luckless ones, a rather
Unruly chief, Aida's father!
(A king of Ethiopic shepherds
Arrayed in skins of spotty leopards.)
Radames, loath to treat severely
The kin of her he loved so dearly,
Implored the priests to loose his chattel.
Radames having won a battle,
The council felt obliged to heed him.
They cheered the captive king and freed him.
The savage king proved aught but grateful;
He growled, " Your Egypt's simply hateful!
Hist! Friend Radames, take my daughter;
We'll flee afar from chains and slaughter;
Amid the pleasant desert places
I'll make you lord of other races! "
The plotters three away were winging
When all the others heard them singing
And found their song sufficient reason
To cast them into jail for treason.
Now came Amneris, half-demented;
She cried, " Radames, they've consented
To spare you if, no more a rover,
You'll swear to throw Aida over! "
Radames (Signor E. Caruso),
Refusing stubbornly to do so,
They buried him beneath the pavement!
Aida shared his quick begravement,
And so they perished, — Heaven love them! —
Amneris shedding tears above them.