And her form is quite as good as the best,
Where Nature has given the bony stuff,
And a clever milliner all the rest.

Intelligent? Yes - in a certain way;
With the feminine gift of ready speech; 10
And knows very well what not to say
Whenever the theme transcends her reach.
But turn the topic on things to wear,

From an opera cloak to a robe de nuit Hats, basques, or bonnets,-'t will make you stare

To see how fluent the lady can be.

Her laugh is hardly a thing to please;

15

The lips as Cuma's cavern close, The cheeks with fast and sorrow thin, The rigid front, almost morose, But for the patient hope within, Declare a life whose course hath been Unsullied still, though still severe, Which, through the wavering days of sin, Kept itself icy-chaste and clear.