CXXIII. She sang divinely: and in "Love's young dream," And "Fanny dearest," and "The soldier's bride;" And every song, whose dear delightful theme, Is "Love, still love," had oft till midnight tried Her finest, loftiest "pigeon-wings" of sound, Waking the very watchmen far around. CXXIV. For her pure taste in dress, I can appeal to Madame Bouquet, and Monsieur Pardessus; She was, in short, a woman you might kneel to, If kneeling were in fashion; or if you Were wearied of your duns and single life, And wanted a few thousands and a wife. 1819. CXXV. * * * * * * * * * * CXXVI. "There was a sound of revelry by night;" Broadway was throng'd with coaches, and within A mansion of the best of brick, the bright And eloquent eyes of beauty bade begin The dance; and music's tones swell'd wild and high, And hearts and heels kept tune in tremulous ecstasy. CXXVII. For many a week, the note of preparation Had sounded through all circles far and near; And some five hundred cards of invitation Bade beau and belle in full costume appear; There was a most magnificent variety, All quite select, and of the first society. CXXVIII. That is to say--the rich and the well-bred, The arbiters of fashion and gentility, In different grades of splendour, from the head Down to the very toe of our nobility: Ladies, remarkable for handsome eyes Or handsome fortunes--learned men, and wise: CXXIX. Statesmen, and officers of the militia-- In short, the "first society"--a phrase, Which you may understand as best may fit you Besides the blackest fiddlers of those days, Placed like their sire, Timotheus, on high, With horsehair fiddle-bows and teeth of ivory. CXXX. The carpets were roll'd up the day before, And, with a breath, two rooms became but one, Like man and wife--and, on the polish'd floor, Chalk in the artists' plastic hand had done All that chalk could do--in young Eden's bowers They seemed to tread, and their feet press'd on flowers. CXXXI. And when the thousand lights of spermaceti Stream'd like a shower of sunbeams--and free tresses Wild as the heads that waved them--and a pretty Collection of the latest Paris dresses Wander'd about the rooms like things divine, It was, as I was told, extremely fine. CXXXII. The love of fun, fine faces, and good eating, Brought many who were tired of self and home; And some were there in the high hope of meeting The lady of their bosom's love--and some To study that deep science, how to please, And manners in high life, and high-soul'd courtesies. CXXXIII.