A ball should be a gala, grand and bright.
Dresses should swirl and coats should swing.
The men usually turn to punch and the ladies to talk.
But not during this dance.
The gossip suddenly grows loud,
The music shall join in too.
The fun is expected to keep rolling on.
But not during this dance.
A couple glides gracefully about the floor.
The lady a beauty with a husband to match.
Their moments of happiness should be sheer bliss.
But not during this dance.
The Frenchwoman's smiles could melt cold hearts
Despite the land of her birth.
By society, she could be petted and utterly adored.
But not during this dance.
The Englishman, her husband, seems lazy and bored,
But he is respected nonetheless.
He should not worry about what others think.
But not during this dance.
All around the room they float and they fly
As charming as anyone could be.
The guests would watch with murmuring a sound.
But not during this dance.
"That little French whore!" comes a lady's voice
"He unquestionably deserves better!" adds her companion's tone.
"Maybe someone should reason with him!"
But not during this dance.
The words must easily pierce and hurt.
They should be stopped at once.
The Englishman should tackle the daredevils then.
But not during this dance.
For these may be the last long moments they have
With his altering adventure life always pulling him away.
One would think some words could kill the love and joy they share.
But not during this dance.