The poem
He was my one and only love; My world was mirror for his face. We were as close as hand and glove, Until he came with smiling grace To say: 'We must be wise, my dear. You are the idol of today, But I too plan a proud career,-- Let's kiss and go our way.'
And then he soared to sudden fame, And even queens applauded him. A halo glorified his name That dust of time may never dim. And me,--I toured golden Brazil, Yet as gay mobs were cheering me, The sun seemed black, the brilliance chill, My triumph mockery.
Today if I should say: 'Hello!' He'd say: 'How are you?' I'd say: 'Fine.' Yet never shall he see the woe, The wanness of my frail decline. I love him now and always will. Oh may his star be long to set! My Maurice is an idol still,-- What wreaths for Mistinguette!