A Lady of the Court

After long months abroad, the troupe returns to play.

Before the music comes, we two are seated there,

Watching the dingy drop arise in dingy air,

Searching the page to see, if she’ll be here to-day.

There is her name again, returned from far away,

But of her spirit’s worth men still are unaware,

A Lady of the Court is all her paltry share,

One of the Corps, but wait, this Rose will have her May.

Then, though the Ballets’ Queens about the stage disport,

We watch throughout the play one Lady of the Court,

One still unnoticed girl, who moves among the crowd.

Ah, Lady, yet a while, and what we two perceive

Will shine upon the world, as on the murky eve

The planet of delight that strides out of the cloud.

John Masefield