Now, in the candle light, and low,

Faint strains fill the air,

Quaint maids and men come floating in,

Come lightly down the stair.

Faintly now, and fine, the violin

Trembles upon a song of old romance

Hand touches hand with warm caress.

And now begins the dance.

Poised and stately cavaliers

Advance bow and gratefully retreat.

Light shines upon there jeweled swords,

On buckles at their feet.

Lightly as flowers on a stem

The lovely laughing ladies sway

Serene, remote as if in a dream,

A dreamt that dies with day.

Peering deep behind a fluttering fan

A voice whispers soft, I love you so,

He asks a question with his eyes

She sweetly murmurs, no

Up from the shadow garden path

Come sounds of laughter, silver sweet;

Heads quickly bent to eager lips

And bright eyes softly meet.

Now the cello sighs for music gone

Well knowing dancers will forget.

The last sobbing violin grows still

And ends the minuet

Dim now the sinking candle flame

Lights maids and men across the floor.

Dreams and dancers die till they

Come back to dance one more.