ine affirm.
First, then, I see in her the mould express
Of woman--stature, feature, body, limb--
Breathing the gentle sex we value most,
When most 'tis at antipodes with ours!

_Wild_. You mean that neighbour Constance is a woman.
Why, yes; she is a woman, certainly.

_True_. So much for person. Now for her complexion.
What shall we liken to her dainty skin?
Her arm, for instance?--

_Wild_. Snow will match it.

_True_. Snow!
It is her arm without the smoothness on't;
Then is not snow transparent. 'Twill not do.

_Wild_. A pearl's transparent!

_True_. So it is, but yet
Yields not elastic to the thrilled touch!
I know not what to liken to her arm
Except her beauteous fellow! Oh! to be
The chosen friend of two such neighbours!

_Wild_. Would
His tongue would make a halt. He makes too free
With neighbour Constance! Can't he let her arms
Alone! I trust their chosen friend
Will ne'er be he! I'm vexed. [Aside.]

_True_. But graceful things
Grow doubly graceful in the graceful use!
Hast marked her ever walk the drawing-room?

_Wild_. [Snappishly.] No.

_True_. No! Why, where have been your eyes?

_Wild_. In my head!
But I begin to doubt if open yet. [Aside.]

_True_. Yet that's a trifle to the dance; down which
She floats as though she were a form of air;
The ground feels not her foot, or tells not on't;
Her movements are the painting of the strain,
Its swell, its fall, its mirth, its tenderness!
Then is she fifty Constances!--each moment
Another one, and each, except its fellow,
Without a peer! You have danced with her!

_Wild_. I hate
To dance! I can't endure to dance!--Of course
You have danced with her?

_True_. I have.

_Wild_. You have?

_True_. I have.

_Wild_. I do abominate to dance!--could carve
Fiddlers and company! A dancing man
To me was ever like a dancing dog!
Save less to be endured.--Ne'er saw I one
But I bethought me of the master's whip.

_True_. A man might bear the whip to dance with her!

_Wild_. Not if I had the laying of it on!

_True_. Well; let that pass. The lady is the theme.

_Wild_. Yes; make an end of it!--I'm sick of it. [Aside.]

_True_. How well she plays the harpsichord and harp!
How well she sings to them! Whoe'er would prove
The power of song, should hear thy neighbour sing,
Especially a love-song!

_Wild_. Does she sing
Such songs to thee?

_True_. Oh, yes, and constantly.
For such I ever ask her.