MY PRETTY LIBRARY VIS A VIS.

I. Across the table meekly sat— I could not, would not choose but see— With charms a monk might wonder at, My pretty library vis a vis! II. I tried in vain to turn the page— Romance and rhyme had lost their spell; When mind and heart a warfare wage The victory is not hard to tell. III. O sixteen summered rosy lass, I came to read the hour away; But not a sentence could I pass, Save in a make believing way. IV. For glancing up from time to time Filled me with tremors and surprise; The heroines of tales and rhyme Vanished before those dazzling eyes! V. I wonder if she archly knew How fast I grew illiterate; And when she looked off, listless, too, Was it for pity of my fate? VI. The hour went by. She would not leave I tried to seem absorbed and wise. To glance at her was to receive Quick notice from her answering eyes. VII. O bookish nymph, say, was it fair To capture so my holiday? Before your beauty who would dare To turn a leaf, or go away? VIII. But on the morrow when I went To make amends, whom should I see Face me again? (O time misspent!) My pretty library vis a vis! Joel Benton.