GILL:
Well, father, while he halts, then tell me,
pray,
Just what you mean by that line where you
say,
'The languorous bewitchment of her eyes'?
MYSELF:
My child, no child should authors catechise,
Especially, poor fellow, if, like me,
Father and author both at once is he.
Wise authors all such questions strictly ban,
And never answer—even if they can.
If of our good knight's wooing you would
hear,
Keep stilly tongue and hearken well, my
dear.
Sir Pertinax halted and bowed his head, abashed by her beauty.
“Melissa!” he whispered, “O Melissa!” and so stood mute.
“O Pertinax!” she sighed. “Art dumb at sight of me? O Pertinax, and wherefore?”
“All have I forgot save only thy loveliness, Melissa!”
“Methinks such—forgetfulness becometh thee well. Say on!”
“Ah, Melissa, I—do love thee.”
“Why this I knew when thou didst sit a-fishing!”
“But, indeed, then I dreamed not of loving thee or any maid.”
“Because thou art but a man.”