While words can't tell how tight my gloves, or huge my white lorgnette.

And, every Opera evening, I lounge into my stall,

And nod, and smile to scores—of course—Habitués, one and all;

And then adjust that huge lorgnette; and, grave as grave can be,

From box to box, and tier to tier, commence my scrutiny.

There's first the row of baignoires so dark, and deep, and sly;

Then the Grand Tier—the milky way—around the Opera sky.

The First tier so respectable—beloved of Russell Square,

The Second, where the artist haunts high up in middle air.

And well I know by many a sign, by toilet, and by style,