Doubles the hams, and crooks the straightest necks, Draws in the nape, and pushes forth the snout, Witness those pensioners called In and Out, Her shape a bow, that once was like an arrow; And twisted all awry her "winsome marrow." In truth it was a change!—she had obeyed The holy Pope before her chest grew narrow, Her grief and gall meanwhile were quite extreme, Set in for singleness, though growing double? --- And here—just here as she began to heed That cried the hour from one to twenty-four. Of workmanship, it struck some dozens more; By twenty she had quite renounced the veil; E 1 She thought of Julio just at twenty-one, And thirty made her very sad and pale, To paint that ruin where her charms would run; 'And thought no higher, as the late dream crossed her, Of single blessedness, than single Gloster. And so Bianca changed; the next sweet even, With Julio in a black Venetian bark, Rowed slow and stealthily- the hour, eleven, That veiled her blushing cheek,- for Julio brought her But what a puzzle is one's serious mind And Julio felt the declaration stick However, he contrived by bits to pick Nods, shrugs and bends, — Bianca could not choose But soften to his suit with more facility, He told his story with so much agility. "Be thou my park, and I will be thy dear, (So he began at last to speak or quote ;) Be thou my bark, and I thy gondolier, (For passion takes this figurative note ;) Be thou my light, and I thy chandelier ; Be thou my dove, and I will be thy cote; This, with more tender logic of the kind, He poured into her small and shell-like ear, That timidly against his lips inclined: Meanwhile her eyes glanced on the silver sphere That even now began to steal behind A dewy vapor, which was lingering near, Wherein the dull moon crept all dim and pale, Just like a virgin putting on the veil : — Bidding adieu to all her sparks -the stars, That erst had wooed and worshipped in her train Saturn and Hesperus, and gallant Mars Never to flirt with heavenly eyes again. Meanwhile, remindful of the convent bars, Bianca did not watch these signs in vain, But turned to Julio at the dark eclipse, With words, like verbal kisses, on her lips. He took the hint full speedily, and, backed By love, and night, and the occasion's meetness, Bestowed a something on her cheek that smacked (Though quite in silence) of ambrosial sweetness; That made her think all other kisses lacked Till then, but what she knew not, of completeness: Being used but sisterly salutes to feel, Insipid things like sandwiches of veal. He took her hand, and soon she felt him wring Anon his stealthy arm began to cling About her waist that had been clasped by none; Their dear confessions I forbear to sing, Since cold description would but be outrun ; OVER THE WAY. "I sat over against a window where there stood a pot with very pretty flowers; and had my eyes fixed on it, when on a sudden the window opened, and a young lady appeared whose beauty struck me."- ARABIAN NIGHTS. ALAS! the flames of an unhappy lover O! why are eyes of hazel? noses Grecian? I've gazed too often, till my heart's as lost As any Over the way! I cannot read or write, or thoughts relax Over the way! Even on Sunday my devotions vary, And from St. Bennet Flint they go astray To dear St. Mary Overy — the Mary Over the way! . O! if my godmother were but a fairy, I envy every thing that's near Miss Lindo, A pug, a poll, a squirrel or a jay — Blest blue-bottles! that buzz about the window Over the way! Even at even, for there be no shutters, I see her reading on from grave to gay, till the candle gutters, Some tale or poem, Over the way! And then-O! then-while the clear waxen taper I see twelve auburn curls put into paper But how breathe unto her my deep regards, Cold as the pole she is to my adoring; Over the way! Each dirty little Savoyard that dances She looks on - Punch- or chimney-sweeps in May: Zounds! wherefore cannot I attract her glances Over the way! Half out she leans to watch a tumbling brat, Or yelping cur, run over by a dray; But I'm in love - she never pities that! Over the way! |