Omar Khayyám

Omar Khayyám
In: Ball-Room Ballads. By K.L. Orde. Illustrated by S.L. Vere.
London : Goschen, 1914. x, 74 p. P. 6.
4 quatrains.

Potter 1163

Omar Khayyám

Arise! for Haxton in among the band
Has rapped his baton on the music-stand,
And lo ! the pianist and first violin
Have set a one-step ready to their hand.

Ah! my Beloved! hear the tune that clears
To-night of past regrets and future fears —
What, Jim’s dance? Why poor Jim’s dance it may be,
But have you noticed how the blighter steers!

Come, could not we with india-rubber conspire
To “cook” your programme making it a liar;
Or tear the bally thing to bits, and then
Fill up another with my name entire.

Ah, Partner mine, you know that you are fain
To dance with me again and yet again;
Come plunge into the crowd and Jim shall look
Thro’ this dense ball-room after us in vain