The Lady.
Here is some strange mistake.
This picture shows me Meredith Reid.
The Maiden.
Yes, Reid
Is Willie’s name; and Meredith, indeed,
Is his name also—Meredith Wilmer. I
Like not long names, so gave him, lovingly,
The pet name Willie.
The Lady.
O ye Powers above!
The “pet name Willie!” Would you try to chain
Phœbus Apollo with your baby-love
And baby-titles? Scarce can I refrain
My hands from crushing you!—
You are that girl,
Then, the boy’s fancy. Yes, I heard the tale
He tried to tell me; but it was so old,
So very old! I stopped him with a curl
Laid playfully across his lips. “Nay, hold!
Enough, enough,” I said; “of what avail
The rest? I know it all; ’tis e’er the same
Old story of the country lad’s first flame
That burns the stubble out. Now by this spell
Forget it all.” He did; and it was well
He did.
The Maiden.
Never! oh, never! Though you prove
The whole as clear as light, I’d ne’er receive
One word. As in my life, so I believe
In Willie!
The Lady.