Lamia's winter-quarters . : Perhaps you have forgotten that, not verylong ago, you rebuked me most gently for one ofmy numerous foibles, and that I asked you to tellme what I ought to do, and to be, in order tomerit your approval. Will you, for a birthdaypresent, tell me now ? We had come, in our saunterings, to the long 88 LAMIAS WINTER-QUARTERS low wall, leaning over which we gazed down directon Florence. With pleasure, he said, and I must onlyhope you will not think me too severe. A BIRTHDAY PRESENT I Say what, to please you, you would have me listen, dear !I fain would have you ver
Lamia's winter-quarters . : Perhaps you have forgotten that, not verylong ago, you rebuked me most gently for one ofmy numerous foibles, and that I asked you to tellme what I ought to do, and to be, in order tomerit your approval. Will you, for a birthdaypresent, tell me now ? We had come, in our saunterings, to the long 88 LAMIAS WINTER-QUARTERS low wall, leaning over which we gazed down directon Florence. With pleasure, he said, and I must onlyhope you will not think me too severe. A BIRTHDAY PRESENT I Say what, to please you, you would have me listen, dear !I fain would have you very fair to see,And sweet to hear. You should have Aphrodites form and face. With Dians tread ;And something of Minervas lofty graceShould crown your head. Summer should wander in your voice, and SpringGleam in your pure thoughts ripen in your heart that bringCalm Autumn days. Yours should be winning ways that make Love live, And neer grow old,With ever something yet more sweet to you withhold. FLORENCE. LAMIAS WINTER-QUARTERS 89 V You should have generous hopes that can beguileLifes doubts and fears,And, ever waiting on your April smile,The gift of tears. VI You should be close to us as earth and sea. And yet as farAs Heaven itself. In sooth, Id have you be Just what you are. O these poets ! I need scarcely say that, afterthis insidious efRision, I stowed away the presentI had intended for Lamia in a secret drawer,reserving it for some more propitious hope I am not prejudiced when I say that theverses were scarcely among the Poets happier com-positions. But diamonds would have lacked lustre,after such metrical adulation. But did you go all that way, it will perhaps beasked, and introduce Lamia to the acknowledgedfascinations of Tuscany, only to wander in searchof wild-flowers, to climb rural hill-sides, to raveabout scenery and sunshine, to listen reverentiallyto the Poets rhymes, and to discuss things in 90 LAMIAS WINTER-QUARTERS general, and Lami
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