Fraught with this cargo--and her fairest freight, Delightful Waltz, on tiptoe for a Mate, 80 The welcome vessel reached the genial strand, And round her flocked the daughters of the land. Not decent David, when, before the ark, His grand _Pas-seul_ excited some remark; Not love-lorn Quixote, when his Sancho thought The knight's _Fandango_ friskier than it ought; Not soft Herodias, when, with winning tread, Her nimble feet danced off another's head; Not Cleopatra on her Galley's Deck, Displayed so much of _leg_ or more of _neck_, 90 Than Thou, ambrosial Waltz, when first the Moon Beheld thee twirling to a Saxon tune! To You, ye husbands of ten years! whose brows Ache with the annual tributes of a spouse; To you of nine years less, who only bear The budding sprouts of those that you _shall_ wear, With added ornaments around them rolled Of native brass, or law-awarded gold; To You, ye Matrons, ever on the watch To mar a son's, or make a daughter's match; 100 To You, ye children of--whom chance accords-- _Always_ the Ladies, and _sometimes_ their Lords; To You, ye single gentlemen, who seek Torments for life, or pleasures for a week; As Love or Hymen your endeavours guide, To gain your own, or snatch another's bride;-- To one and all the lovely Stranger came, And every Ball-room echoes with her name. Endearing Waltz!--to thy more melting tune Bow Irish Jig, and ancient Rigadoon. [12] 110 Scotch reels, avaunt! and Country-dance forego Your future claims to each fantastic toe! Waltz--Waltz alone--both legs and arms demands, Liberal of feet, and lavish of her hands; Hands which may freely range in public sight Where ne'er before--but--pray "put out the light." Methinks the glare of yonder chandelier Shines much too far--or I am much too near; And true, though strange--Waltz whispers this remark, "My slippery steps are safest in the dark!" 120 But here the Muse with due decorum halts, And lends her longest petticoat to "Waltz." Observant Travellers of every time! Ye Quartos published upon every clime! 0 say, shall dull _Romaika's_ heavy round, _Fandango's_ wriggle, or _Bolero's_ bound; Can Egypt's _Almas_ [13]--tantalising group-- Columbia's caperers to the warlike Whoop-- Can aught from cold Kamschatka to Cape Horn With Waltz compare, or after Waltz be born? 130 Ah, no! from Morier's pages down to Galt's, [14] Each tourist pens a paragraph for "Waltz."