| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| The Music-Hall |
| | | Theodore Wratislaw (b. 1871) |
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| THE CURTAIN on the grouping dancers falls, | |
| The heaven of color has vanished from our eyes; | |
| Stirred in our seats we wait with vague surmise | |
| What haply comes that pleases or that palls. | |
| Touched on the stand the thrice-struck baton calls, | 5 |
| Once more I watch the unfolding curtain rise, | |
| I hear the exultant violins premise | |
| The well-known tune that thrills me and enthralls. | |
| Then trembling in my joy I see you flash | |
| Before the footlights to the cymbals’ clash, | 10 |
| With laughing lips, swift feet, and brilliant glance, | |
| You, fair as heaven and as a rainbow bright, | |
| You, queen of song and empress of the dance, | |
| Flower of mine eyes, my love, my heart’s delight! | |
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