I flourish, I curtsey, I slip and I slide;—

This will do for a wife, this is fit for a bride.

I smile and I bow, in a dignified way,

And even shake hands with the lady in gray;

Then draw back astonish'd, afraid to offend,

It is all a mistake, and she is not a friend.

In a moment sweeps over the vision a change

Deliciously sweet and suddenly strange,

A blush in the cheek and a light in the eyes;—

A step in the passage, to meet it she flies,

And still in the mirror I mark the embrace,

Where the strong manly arms hide the small blushing face.

[pg 33]

When the sun rises early to call people out,

There is nothing so sweet as to wander about,

A hand on an arm or an arm round a waist,

In lover-like leisure or holiday haste.

Then, all is delightful we see or we hear,

And speaking or silence are equally dear;

The earth at our feet of an emerald hue,

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