The Lady-in-Waiting's Tale
There's nothing matters, girl, beyond The Ring!
Are you betrothed yet? Me, I'm six months in.
Hussars are handsome. Want to know the truth?
A tale of passion, sex, idealistic youth
and parents crippled by stiff protocol.
The girl? I hardly dealt with her at all,
some minor baroness (Hungarian blood).
At Mayerling, in the Vienna Woods
is where they did it. Yes, I've seen them dance
together. The mazurka! One brief glance
that flits between two lovers tells the world.
His wife was one thing - but he loved that girl!
The night before, there was an argument
between him and the Emperor. He spent
his final night with her at Mayerling.
Oh, how romantic! Since their heady fling
was doomed - they couldn't be together now,
and wouldn't be apart - they took a vow
to end their lives. Poor things. Look over there.
That captain. Is he looking, girl? Don't stare!
START
Dancing in the Wind
While dancing in the wind, with the backdrop a blue sky
Snow gums bend their upper limbs, and appear to fly
Back and forth across their stage, in perfect harmony
To the rhythm of the wind, and its haunting symphony
Their costumes are so fresh and new; some rust, some grey, some green
And after a shower from heaven, their leaves are squeaky clean
The stage set's always changing, as clouds go racing by
These come from Kosciuszko - miles high in the sky
And so the gum-leaf dancers revel in ballet
To echoes of a mazurka, down the Alpine Way
In honor of Strzelecki, who came from another land
They twist and turn down the slopes, then pirouette in the sand.
oOo
END
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