What Shall We Say

Fifty Years Hence,

OF OUR FANCY-DRESS QUADRILLE

(Danced at Swanhurst, August 8th, 1878.)

Do you remember, long ago,
Our Fancy-dress Quadrille?
Though many a year is past since then
It makes me joyous still,
To think what fun we used to have
When we were young and gay
And danced upon the Swanhurst lawn,
That happy Summer day.

As Shepherd and as Shepherdess
We trod the graceful round,
In pinks and blues, with buckled shoes,
And crooks with ribands bound;
And as with joyous step we danced
We gaily sang in time
The foolish words and merry tune
Of some old Nursery rhyme.

But often through the singing broke
A burst of laughter gay,
So young were we, so glad and free,
That happy Summer day!
And hand in hand would linger long,
As through the dance we moved,
For some of us were lovers then,
And some of us were loved.

Ah, many a year is past since then,
And fled the merry throng,
And yet I hear, at times quite clear,
The echo of our song;
And though our days are Wintry now
I well remember still
The happy Summer day we danced
Our Fancy-dress Quadrille!

1878.