Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/156

138 "First comes the prologue, as I may say," the reader commences; "it is an address to his pen:

The speaker pauses, and a great fluttering of fans ensues, with many admiring comments on the magnificent simile of Icarus.

The reader continues, daintily arranging his snowy frill. "Mark the fate of the bard," he says, and reads:

"Tittering—observe the expressive phrase," says the reader. They all cry out at this.

"Tittering!"

"Ladies do not titter!"

"Really!"

"Tittering!"

The serene reader raises his hand, and, adjusting his wig, says:

"Mere poetic license, ladies; merely imagination; not fact. True, very true! ladies never titter—an abominable imputation. But, listen."

And he continues:

"Myrtilla's beauties who can paint, The well-turned form, the glowing teint,
 * May deck a common creature;