So they made A grand parade, With marching train-band, guild, and trade: The burgomaster in robes arrayed, Gold chain, and mace, and gay cockade, Great keys carried, and flags displayed, Pompous marshal and spruce young aide, Carriage and foot and cavalcade; While big drums thundered and trumpets brayed, And all the bands of the canton played; The fountain spouted lemonade, Children drank of the bright cascade; Spectators of every rank and grade, The young and merry, the grave and staid, Alike with cheers the show surveyed, From street and window and balustrade,-- Ladies in jewels and brocade, Gray old grandam, and peasant maid With cap, short skirt, and dangling braid; And youngsters shouted, and horses neighed, And all the curs in concert bayed: 'T was thus with pomp and masquerade, On a broad triumphal chariot laid, Beneath a canopy's moving shade, By eight cream-colored steeds conveyed, To the ringing of bells and cannonade, King Cheese his royal progress made. So to the Paris Exposition, His Majesty went on his famous mission. [Illustration: "SO THEY MADE A GRAND PARADE."] At the great French Fair! Everything under the sun is there, Whatever is made by the hand of man: Silks from China and Hindostan, Grotesque bronzes from Japan; Products of Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, Lapland, Finland, I know not what land-- North land, south land, cold land, hot land,-- From Liberia, From Siberia,-- Every fabric and invention, From every country you can mention: From Algeria and Sardinia; From Ohio and Virginia; Egypt, Siam, Palestine; Lands of the palm-tree, lands of the pine; Lands of tobacco, cotton, and rice, Of iron, of ivory, and of spice, Of gold and silver and diamond,-- From the farthest land, and the land beyond. And everybody is there to see: From Mexico and Mozambique; Spaniard, Yankee, Heathen Chinee; Modern Roman and modern Greek; Frenchman and Prussian, Turk and Russian, Foes that have been, or foes to be: Through miles on miles Of spacious aisles, 'Mid the wealth of the world in gorgeous piles, Loiter and flutter the endless files! Encircled all day by a wondering throng, That gathers early and lingers long, Behold where glows, in his golden rind, The marvel the burghers of Nulle designed! There chatters the cheery _bourgeoisie_; And children are lifted high to see; And "Will it go up in the sky to-night?" Asks little ma'm'selle, in the arms of her mother,-- "Rise over the houses and give us light? Is this where it sets when it goes out of sight?" For she takes King Cheese for his elder brother!