Not icy-cold, as Parian sculpture is,
Like Tennyson’s blue-stockingéd Artemis:
Not erudite and sapient, grimly frowning,
Like the Athena that’s adored by Browning:
But just the Period’s girl, a pretty creature,
Of dainty style, though inexpressive feature,
Who carefully reserves her choice opinions
For length of petticoats and bulk of chignons,
In whom no tragic impulse ever rankles,
Who always says her prayers, and shows her ankles.