University of Virginia Library


68

ANTITHESES

Ethel's eyes are evening,
In their vaporous blue;
Mabel's eyes are morning,
Diamonded with dew.
Ethel's hair hath lustres
Like a midnight sea's;
Mabel's daffodil tresses
Might delude the bees.
Ethel's voice flows golden,
Like her calm wise words;
Mabel's treble of laughter
Stills the envious birds.
Ethel's brows are sculpture,
And a lily her lips;
Mabel's mouth is rosier
Than dawn's finger-tips.

69

Ethel's air shines candour
Unto all she meets;
Mabel's varying dimples
Are divine deceits.
Ethel has one sweetheart,
Held in holiest thrall;
Mabel at least has twenty,
And she mocks them all.