John Hall Wheelock

EVEN as to a music, stately and sad,

The young girl’s feet begin to move in a dance,

And curiously for joy shift and advance;

So to a mournful waltz, sombre and sweet,

All laughing things move with delighted feet,

So all things that draw light and laughing breath

Move to the mournful waltz of life and death.

Comedy is a girl dancing in time

To the tragic pipes, sorrowful and sublime;

And ever she laughs back, and as she skips

Mimics the mournful music with her lips;

Then for sheer anger at her own pretense

Sobs violently at her own vehemence,

And mocks her tears. But when the pipings sleep

She needs must cover up her face and weep.