Science and Art

Today, Sweet Nell.  But, yesterday?
   What science was it then
That helped you drive dull care away
   And gladden hearts of men?

Upon a long-gone night of nights
   We saw you smiling, fair,
Trip on the stage in silken tights --
   And Happiness was there.

'Twas never Christian Science then,
   Memory must confess,
That helped you move a throng of men
   To eager happiness.

No science gave you there so well
   To play the Fairy's part;
But rather, shall we say, Sweet Nell,
   Just good, clean, Pagan Art.