If half the pretty kindnesses she shows,
By Phyllida were shown or said,
Without a tremor I would stake my head
That I securely might propose
That she my bride would be.
Yet why? I know full well that Chloe means
Nothing at all. 'Tis but her buoyant way,
Her frank "The best of friends, that's all."
And yet the stricter Grundy 'twould appal
To hear the tender things we say