Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/265

 »

238

THE FRONT ROW. By Irving Browne. FOX v. DOUGHERTY, 2 Weekly Notes of Cases (Pa.), 41^. ( One who is hurt at a theatre by thefall of a trapeze performer is not negligent because he sat in afront seat.) r I "HERE 's danger in the van Of battle : pressing on the foe, Those in the front are first to go In senses more than one; and I Would rather be the last to die, — As shrewd Ulysses in the cave, When Polyphemus blind did rave, Found solace in the thought, though beaten, He was to be the last one eaten.

There 's danger on the bow Of " record " ship or ferry-boat From iceberg or from landing-float, To those who flock to see the fun, Or in mad haste do push and run In senseless rivalry and zeal, And boundless satisfaction feel, When risking life or limb or gore, They are the first to get ashore.

There 's danger in the front Of theatre, called " bald-head row," When at the gay-placarded show The masculine spectators sit And watch the painted dancer flit With heaving breast, on pointed toe, — A " stock " exhibitor, who salves Misfortune's rubs by raising calves.

'T was in that fatal row That crafty Fox one evening sat