at once, submitted me
In something of a stupor, went my way.
I fancy there had been some talk before
Of somebody--her father or the like--
To coach me in the holidays,--that's how
I came to get the sight and speech of her,--
But I had sense enough to break off sharp,
Save both of us the pain."

"Quite right there!"
"Eh?
Quite wrong, it happens! Now comes worst of all!
Yes, I did sulk aloof and let alone
The lovers--_I_ disturb the angel-mates?"

"Seraph paired off with cherub!"

"Thank you! While
I never plucked up courage to inquire
Who he was, even,--certain-sure of this,
That nobody I knew of had blue wings
And wore a star-crown as he needs must do,--
Some little lady,--plainish, pock-marked girl,--
Finds out my secret in my woful face,
Comes up to me at the Apollo Ball,
And pityingly pours her wine and oil
This way into the wound: '_Dear f-f-friend,
Why waste affection thus on--must I say,
A somewhat worthless object? Who's her choice--
Irrevocable as deliberate--
Out of the wide world? I shall name no names--
But there's a person in society,
Who, blessed with rank and talent, has grown gray
In idleness and sin of every sort
Except hypocrisy: he's thrice her age,
A by-word for "successes with the sex"
As the French say--and, as we ought to say,
Consummately a liar and a rogue,
Since--show me where's the woman won without
The help of this one lie which she believes--
That--never mind how things have come to pass,
And let who loves have loved a thousand times--
All the same he now loves her only, loves
Her ever! if by "won" you just mean "sold,"
That's quite another compact. Well, this scamp,
Continuing descent from bad to worse,
Must leave his fine and fashionable prey
(Who--fathered, brothered, husbanded,--are hedged
About with thorny danger) and apply
His arts to this poor country ignorance
Who sees forthwith in the first rag of man
Her model hero! Why continue waste
On such a woman treasures of a heart
Would yet find solace,--yes, my f-f-friend--
In some congenial_--fiddle-diddle-dee?'"

"Pray, is the pleasant gentleman described
Exact the portrait which my '_f-f-friends_'
Reco