ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI
[Born in Sicily—1659-1725.]
Scarlatti dwelt upon this earth
Before the masters came.
In Sicily he had his birth
And gained an artist's name.
The Order of the Golden Spur
The Pope gave unto him,
And princes often did bestir
To satisfy his whim.
His famous work, The Cat's Fugue dubbed,
He named for his pet cat.
One night her fur by dogship rubbed
The right way for a spat,
Upon the spinet keys she sprang,
Wild music made her feet;
And in Scarlatti's soul their rang
The tones for music sweet.