Wise authors all such questions strictly ban,
And never answer--even if they can.
If of our good knight's wooing you would
hear,
Keep stilly tongue and hearken well, my
dear.
Sir Pertinax halted and bowed his head, abashed by her beauty.
"Melissa!" he whispered, "O Melissa!" and so stood mute.
"O Pertinax!" she sighed. "Art dumb at sight of me? O Pertinax, and
wherefore?"
"All have I forgot save only thy loveliness, Melissa!"
"Methinks such--forgetfulness becometh thee well. Say on!"
"Ah, Melissa, I--do love thee."
"Why this I knew when thou didst sit a-fishing!" "But, indeed, then I
dreamed not of loving thee or any maid."
"Because thou art but a man."
"Verily, and being man, now came I seeking thee for Love's sweet sake yet,
finding thee, know not how to speak thee. Alas, I do fear I am but sorry
wooer!"
"Alas, Pertinax, I do fear thou art! Yet thou shalt learn, perchance.
How--art dumb again, canst speak me no more?"
"Nought--save only this, thou art beyond all maids fair, Melissa!"
"Why, I do think thou'lt make a wooer some day mayhap, by study diligent.
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