was her dress, with tinselling. Her sad, worn face had all the nobleness That lovely spirits gather from distress. "No one to-night," she thought, "no one to-night." Within the tent, a flare gave blowing light. There, in their scarlet cart, the bandsmen tuned Bugles that whinnied, flageolets that crooned And strings that whined and grunted. Near the band Piebald and magpie horses stood at hand Nosing at grass beneath the green-striped dome While men caressed them with the curry-comb. The clowns, with whited, raddled faces, heaped [Pg 67]Old horse cloths round them to the chins; they peeped Above the rugs; their cigarette ends' light Showing black eyes, and scarlet smears and white. They watched the empty benches, and the wry Green curtain door which no one entered by. Two little children entered and sat still With bright wide-opened eyes that stared their fill, And red lips round in wonder smeared with tints From hands and handkerchiefs and peppermints. A farm lad entered. That was all the house. "Strike up the band to give the folk a rouse," The showman said, "They must be all outside." He said it boldly, though he knew he lied. Sad as a funeral march for pleasure gone The band lamented out, "He's got them on." Then paused, as usual, for the crowd to come. [Pg 68] Nobody came, though from without a hum Of instruments and singing slowly rose. "Free feast, with fireworks and public shows," The bandsmen growled, "An empty house again. Two children and a ploughboy and the rain. And then a night march through the mud," they said. Now to the gate, King Cole his piping played. The showman's wife from out her window peering Saw, in the road, a crowd with lanterns nearing, And, just below her perch, a man who shone As though white flame were his caparison; One upon whom the great-eyed hawk-moths tense Settled with feathery feet and quivering sense, Till the white, gleaming robe seemed stuck with eyes. It was the grinning glitterer, white and wise, [Pg 69]King Cole, who said, "Madam, the Court is here, The Court, the Prince, the Queen, all drawing near, We here, the vanguard, set them on their way. They come intent to see your circus play. They ask that all who wish may enter free, And in their princely hope that this may be They send you these plump bags of minted gold." He gave a sack that she could scarcely hold. She dropped it trembling, muttering thanks, and then She cried: "O master, I must tell the men." She rushed out of her van: she reached the Ring; Called to her husband, "Will, the Queen and King, Here at the very gate to see the show!" "Light some more flares," said Will, "to make a glow. 'God save the Queen,' there, bandsmen; lively, boys. [Pg 70]Come on, 'God save our gracious'; make a noise. Here, John, bring on the piebalds to the
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