The lady's in return may grasp as much
As princely paunches offer to her touch.
Pleased round the chalky floor how well they trip
One hand reposing on the royal hip![1]
The other to the shoulder no less royal
Ascending with affection truly loyal!
Thus front to front the partners move or stand,200
The foot may rest, but none withdraw the hand;
And all in turn may follow in their rank,
The Earl of—Asterisk—and Lady—Blank;
Sir—Such-a-one—with those of fashion's host,[2][3]
For whose blest surnames—vide "Morning Post."
(Or if for that impartial print too late,
Search Doctors' Commons six months from my date)—
Thus all and each, in movement swift or slow,
The genial contact gently undergo;
Till some might marvel, with the modest Turk,210
- ↑ [Compare Sheridan's lines on waltzing, which Moore heard him "repeat in a drawing-room"—
"With tranquil step, and timid downcast glance,
Behold the well-pair'd couple now advance.
In such sweet posture our first parents moved,
While, hand in hand, through Eden's bower they roved.
Ere yet the devil, with promise fine and false,
Turned their poor heads, and taught them how to waltz.
One hand grasps hers, the other holds her hip.······
For so the law's laid down by Baron Trip."]
- ↑ Sir—Such a one—with Mrs.—Miss So-so.—[Revise.]
- ↑ [Lines 204-207 are not in the MS., but were added in a revise.]
- ↑ In Turkey a pertinent—here an impertinent and super-
