Stealing a hurried march to this retreat

That 's not so savage as the Sisterhood

To slips and stumbles: Pietro's heart is soft,

Violante leans to pity's side,—the pair

Ushered you into life a bouncing boy:

And he 's already hidden away and safe

From any claim on him you mean to make—

They need him for themselves,—don't fear, they know

The use o' the bantling,—the nerve thus laid bare

To nip at, new and nice, with finger-nail!"