He played his little violin as if it were alive,

Composing wondrous music which was so grand and sweet

That even queens and princes would fall down at his feet.

His music flowed as easily as waters in a brook,

And sparkled as bright sunbeams peeping in a nook.

An opera he finished before his thirteenth year

And when he was but fourteen musicians came to hear

La Scala, greatest orchestra, which the world then had,

As it was well directed by this inspired lad.

The Pope conferred upon him the order "Golden Spur."