With a fleece that shamed the driven snow.

(As Mr. Browning has it)

You knew her?—Mary the small,

How of a summer,—or, no, was it fall?

You'd never have thought it, never believed,

But the girl owned a lamb last fall.

Its wool was subtly, silky white,

Color of lucent obliteration of night,

Like the shimmering snow or—our Clothild's arm!

You've seen her arm—her right, I mean—