"Fire and fury! double shadows
On their bed-room windows ne'er,
To my knowledge, have been cast by
Ladies virtuous and fair.
"False, abandoned, Mandolina!
Fare thee well, for evermore!
Vengeance!" shrieked I, "vengeance! vengeance!"
And I thundered through the door.
This event occurred next morning;
Mandolina staring sat,
Stark amaz'd, as out I tumbled,
Raving mad, without a hat!
Six weeks after I'd a letter,
On its road six weeks delayed—
With a dozen re-directions
From the lost one, and it said:
"Foolish, wicked, cruel Albert!
Base suspicion's doubts resign;
DOUBLE LIGHTS THROW DOUBLE SHADOWS!
Mandolina—ever thine."
"Heavens, what an ass!" I muttered,
"Not before to think of that!"—
And again I rushed excited
To the rail, without a hat.
"Mandolina! Mandolina!"
When her house I reached, I cried:
"Pardon, dearest love!" she answered—
"I'm the Russian Consul's bride!"
Thus, by Muscovite barbarian,
And by Fate, my life was crossed;
Wonder ye I start at shadows?
Types of Mandolina lost.
THE RETORT GEORGE P. MORRIS
Old Nick, who taught the village school,
Wedded a maid of homespun habit;
He was stubborn as a mule,
She was playful as a rabbit.