And Madam heard him speak, with some surprise,
Of heroes known to him from histories;
He knew the actors in the deeds of old—
He could the Roman marvels all unfold.
He to his guide a theme for wonder grew,
At once so little and so much he knew—
Little of what was passing every day, 380
And much of that which long had pass’d away;—
So like a man, and yet so like a child,
That his good friend stood wond’ring as she smiled.