With a smooth brow, as well as bid me catch

The inquisitorial cleverness some praise!

If you had told me yesterday, "There's one

You needs must circumvent and practise with,

Entrap by policies, if you would worm

The truth out: and that one is—Mildred!" There,

There—reasoning is thrown away on it!

Prove she's unchaste ... why, you may after prove

That she's a poisoner, traitress, what you will!

Where I can comprehend naught, naught's to say,