For you can sing!

Pray, do not think we build you any throne
On _skill_ alone;
There's nothing regal in a music box--
In simple _vox_!

But when an ardent spirit warms the strain--
When it is plain
The artist feels the passion of the scene--
She's then our Queen!

But, dear CHRISTINA! we should still declare
The Fates unfair,
Unless she lived as chastely as the rose;
As NILSSON does!

Still, still we hesitate!--We will confess,
(For _you'd_ not guess!)
We'd have her--that the likeness be complete--
Young, fair, and sweet!

In fine, (and now we'll tell you everything,)
If she can sing,
And act, and feel, and look, and _be_ like you,
Why, that will do!

* * * * *

[Illustration: THE YOUNG DEMOC-RATS, ENCOURAGED BY THE OLD RAT DANA,