Felt actually indelicate.

I knew the nurse began to grin;

I turned to greet my Love. Said she—

"Confound your modesty, come in!

—What shall we call the darling, V.?"

(There are so many charming names!

Girls'—Peg, Moll, Doll, Fan, Kate, Blanche, Bab:

Boys'—Mahershahal-hashbaz, James,

Luke, Nick, Dick, Mark, Aminadab.)

Lo, as the acorn to the oak,

As well-heads to the river's height,

As to the chicken the moist yolk,

As to high noon the day's first white—

Such is the baby to the man.

There, straddling one red arm and leg,

Lay my last work, in length a span,

Half hatched, and conscious of the egg.

[Pg 404]

A creditable child, I hoped;

And half a score of joys to be

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