The Grand Staircase

The ceiling lowers a chandelier’s glow, A suspended drizzle of glass fireflies. Marble tiers like a sharp-edged ruffle, Scaled by lissome feet in buffed leather shod. As jewels’ shine with sequins’ luster vies, And pomade’s glints with brilliantine's scuffle, A beauty to make all womanhood blush, Ascends the stairs, and with her all eyes rise. Silk gown’s long train trailing e’er so graceful, A teardrop’s upflow that brings down a hush; Young squires turn faithful.