I clasped him madly round the waist,

And breathlessly replied, “I do!”

“All right,” said he, “but please make haste.”

I led him by his hallowed sleeve,

And worked away at him apace,

I painted him till dewy eve,—

There never was a nobler face!

“Oh sir,” I said, “a fortune grand

Is yours, by dint of merest chance,—

To sport his brow at second hand,