Esther, XXXII

I had stopped to read a handbill of the play,
Caught by the lettering. Thus it was I read,
" Programme of this night's pieces, Saturday
The twentieth of October, ' X. Y. Z.,'
A piece in one act, and ' Les Berbers Fous,'
These to be followed by the well-known ' draine '
Of ' Manon Lescaut,' here brought out anew
For the first time at Lyons." And a name
Followed in giant type of one who then
Illustrious stood in all the world of folly,
The most sublime Comedian known to men,
" Mademoiselle Esther, Muse of Melancholy."
She in her part of Manon, so 'twas writ,
Three nights would play in honour infinite.