University of Virginia Library

A MATCH OF QUESTIONS

JOHN AND THOMAS
J.
Where the stream of the river may bound,
All in foam, over block upon block,
Of grey stone, shall we say that the sound
Is the sound of the stream or the rock?

T.
Where the black-spotted bean-bloom is out,
As we talk of the smell, do we mean
That the sweetness that wavers about
Is the smell of the wind or the bean?

J.
Where the sunlight that plays off and on,
In the brook-pool, may dazzle your sight,
Would you say that the bow-neckèd swan
Is in gleams of the pool, or the light?

T.
When your head should have met, in the night,
With the door, and be ready to split,
Would you say, if you wished to be right,
'Twas the head or the door that was hit?

J.
When the heart may leap high at the sight
Of the dwelling of some belov'd face,
Shall we take it, that all our delight
Is a charm of the face, or the place?

T.
When a pretty girl's father, one night,
Set the dog at a youth, that would scan
Her abode, should we think the poor wight
Put to flight, by the dog or the man?

J.
Ah! you only can turn it to fun.

T.
And he only could learn how to run.