"I wish my Nicky is not in love"—
"O mother, you have nick't it"—
And he turn'd his head aside with a blush—
Not red hot pokers, or crimson plush,
Could half so deep have prick'd it.
XIII
"These twenty thousand good years or more,"
Quoth he, "on this burning shingle
I have led a lonesome Bachelor's life,
Nor known the comfort of babe or wife—
'Tis a long—time to live single."
XIV
Quoth she, "If a wife is all you want,
I shall quickly dance at your wedding.
I am dry nurse, you know, to the Female Ghosts "—
And she call'd up her charge, and they came in hosts
To do the old Beldam's bidding:
XV
All who in their lives had been servants of sin—
Adulteress, Wench, Virago—
And Murd'resses old that had pointed the knife
Against a husband's or father's life,
Each one a She Iago.
XVI
First Jezebel came—no need of paint,
Or dressing, to make her charming;
For the blood of the old prophetical race
Had heighten'd the natural flush of her face
To a pitch 'bove rouge or carmine.