Come, gentlemen—your gold. Thanks: welcome to the show. To hear a story told In words you do not know. Now, great Salvini, rise And thunder through your tears, Aha! friends, let your eyes Interpret to your ears. Gods! 't is a goodly game. Observe his stride—how grand! When legs like his declaim Who can misunderstand? See how that arm goes round. It says, as plain as day: 'I love,' 'The lost is found,' 'Well met, sir,' or, 'Away!' And mark the drawing down Of brows. How accurate The language of that frown: Pain, gentlemen—or hate. Those of the critic trade Swear it is all as clear As if his tongue were made To fit an English ear. Hear that Italian phrase! Greek to your sense, 't is true; But shrug, expression, gaze— Well, they are Grecian too. But it is Art! God wot Its tongue to all is known. Faith! he to whom 't were not Would better hold his own. Shakespeare says act and word Must match together true. From what you've seen and heard, How can you doubt they do? Enchanting drama! Mark The crowd 'from pit to dome', One box alone is dark— The prompter stays at home. Stupendous artist! You Are lord of joy and woe: We thrill if you say 'Boo,' And thrill if you say 'Bo.'
ANOTHER WAY.
I lay in silence, dead. A woman came And laid a rose upon my breast and said: 'May God be merciful.' She spoke my name, And added: 'It is strange to think him dead. 'He loved me well enough, but 't was his way To speak it lightly.' Then, beneath her breath: 'Besides'—I knew what further she would say, But then a footfall broke my dream of death. To-day the words are mine. I lay the rose Upon her breast, and speak her name and deem It strange indeed that she is dead. God knows I had more pleasure in the other dream.
ART.
For Gladstone's portrait five thousand pounds Were paid, 't is said, to Sir John Millais. I cannot help thinking that such fine pay Transcended reason's uttermost bounds. For it seems to me uncommonly queer That a painted British stateman's price Exceeds the established value thrice Of a living statesman over here.
AN ENEMY TO LAW AND ORDER.
A is defrauded of his land by B, Who's driven from the premises by C. D buys the place with coin of plundered E. 'That A's an Anarchist!' says F to G.
