Dear boxes! where I scarce my nose could squeeze,

Where play, and dance, and song were sure to please;

How often happier than a king or queen,

While loud applause has marked the well-play’d scene.

How often have I paused on ev’ry charm,

The speaking silence, the expression warm,

The never-failing start, the gushing tear,

The broken accents trembling on the ear;

The moon that vainly tried to pierce the shade,

Impervious scene for love or murder made;