The case has been from first misunderstood.

Protect us, Heaven! A blundering brotherhood!”

He saw her trouble; thence divined her ill.

Her secret kept he; hidden held it still.75

The sickness was not caused by bile or spleen.

The scent of perfume’s better smelt than seen.

He traced her suffering to a mind oppressed;

Her body sound, her soul a wish suppressed.

Her hesitations made him guess her love;

The symptoms plain,—her heart was sick, poor dove!