"The Polish Count Oginsky was strongly attached to a lady who prefered his rival. Resolved not to survive his disappointment, he asked as a last and only favour, that he might be permitted to dance with her the first polonaise at the nuptial ball. For this purpose he prepared the following expressive air, during the performance of which he ill dissembled the agony of his mind; and when it was concluded, rushed from the presence of her who alone could render life valuable to him, and shot himself."