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188 Themes worthy of a worthier song,
 * Dear Lady of the mountain springs.”

And who is she—the Fairy of the scene? A bright-eyed, beautiful maiden of eighteen, Lovely and learnèd, and well “skilled to rule,” The Lady-Mentor of a village school, “Teaching young Girls’ ideas how to shoot;” A tree of knowledge, rich in flowers and fruit, A model heroine in mien and mind, An “Admirable Crichton” crinolined, And author of a charming Book that sings Delightfully concerning wedding-rings, Tracing the progress of the lightning-dart Between the bridal finger and the heart, And proving the arithmetic untrue Which teaches us that one and one make two, Whereas the marriage-ring is worn to prove That two are one—the Algebra of Love.

Such is the Lady of my song, and now She gazes on her young Endymion’s brow, And, fancying—by a sudden thought beguiled, Herself a mother bending o’er her child, Unconsciously imprints upon his eyes A kiss—brimful of all the charities, Sacredly secret, eloquently mute, Yet “Musical as is Apollo’s lute,”