While Pond slowly muttered, "Hear, hear."

"Volition--celestial prize,
Pellucid as porphyry cell--
Is based on a principle wise."
"Quite so," exclaimed Pond and Morell.

"From what I have said, you will see
That I couldn't wed either--in fine,
By nature's unchanging decree
_Your_ daughters could never be _mine_.

"Go home to your pigs and your ricks,
My hands of the matter I've rinsed."
So they take up their hats and their sticks,
And _exeunt ambo_, convinced.


[Illustration]




ONLY A DANCING GIRL.


Only a dancing girl,
With an unromantic style,
With borrowed color and curl,
With fixed mechanical smile,