A Summer Christmas and a Sonnet upon The S.S. "Ballaarat." By Douglas B. W. Sladen |
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 | A Summer Christmas and a Sonnet upon The S.S. "Ballaarat." |  |
When from the dinner they withdrew
The audience was less by two,
For Phil and Hall had sauntered out
To smoke and chat and stroll about,
Liking their own society
Better than sitting idly by,
While the Professor on demand
Told what they scarce could understand,
And did not care for in the least.
And even Will was ill at rest,
Although he thought it impolite
Not to be present. On that night
Ida was chosen queen, but said,
That as a queen already had
Thrice worn the crown, 'twas time for it
Upon three gentlemen to sit,
And acclamation hailed the thought
And chose the host first, who besought
The story-teller for a tale
Romantic and historical.
The audience was less by two,
For Phil and Hall had sauntered out
To smoke and chat and stroll about,
Liking their own society
Better than sitting idly by,
While the Professor on demand
Told what they scarce could understand,
And did not care for in the least.
And even Will was ill at rest,
Although he thought it impolite
Not to be present. On that night
Ida was chosen queen, but said,
That as a queen already had
Thrice worn the crown, 'twas time for it
Upon three gentlemen to sit,
And acclamation hailed the thought
And chose the host first, who besought
The story-teller for a tale
Romantic and historical.
| A Summer Christmas and a Sonnet upon The S.S. "Ballaarat." | |