Gave something mystic to the scene most fair.

I gave my cousin Dante's divine "Inferno,"

Imploring her to read il primo canto.

"Lo giorno s'andava," she drawled; but, tired of plodding,

Directly fell asleep, and pretty soon—was nodding!!

"Cousin, sweet cousin," cried I out, "awake!

I long for sympathy—compassion on me take:

They say yon stars are worlds—dost think 'tis so?"

"Really, my—dear (a yawn), I—don't exactly know."

"Cousin," said I, "upon a night like this,