Mine is a Lady, beautiful and queenly, Crown’d with a sweet, continual control, Grandly forbearing, lifting life serenely E’en to her own nobility of soul. FRANK. Mine is a Woman, kindly beyond measure, Fearless in praising; faltering in blame, Simply devoted to other people’s pleasure. Jack’s sister Florence. Now you know her name. LAURENCE. “Jack’s sister Florence!” Never, Francis, never! Jack, do you hear? Why, it was She I meant. She like the country! Ah! she’s far too clever. FRANK. There you are wrong. I know her down in Kent. LAURENCE. You’ll get a sunstroke, standing with your head bare. Sorry to differ. Jack, the word’s with you. FRANK. How is it, umpire? Though the motto’s threadbare, “_Cœlum non animum_,” is, I take it, true. JACK. “_Souvent femme varie_,” as a rule, is truer. Flatter’d, I’m sure—but both of you romance. Happy to further suit of either wooer, Merely observing—you haven’t got a chance. LAURENCE. Yes. But the Pipe— FRANK. The Pipe is what we care for. JACK. Well, in this case, I scarcely need explain. Judgment of mine were indiscreet, and therefore— Peace to you both.—The pipe I shall retain. RIVER. THREE rivers fell to strife, about their own renown, Producing rival claims to wear the rivers’ crown. Proud Amazon was one, and yellow Tiber next, And third, an English Thames—all three most fierce and vex’d. Said Amazon: “The length of my majestic stream Makes me amazed that you, two tiny rills, should deem You can be e’en compared with me—enormous _me_! Of rivers I’m the king!—Let that acknowledged be!” “Absurd!” cried Tiber. “_Size_—and all that sort of thing Are never reckon’d points in fixing on a king. But Rome was _mine_! And _mine_ her conquests, laws, and fame, In fact, her total past is coupled with _my_ name!” “Be silent!” said the Thames; “I’m greater than you both! Not hist’ry and not miles can match with present growth. I’m proud to say _I_ own a trading wealthy place, By Anglo-Saxons built—that fearless, active race!” The contest grew more sharp, they roll’d their waves in storm; Thermometers, if there, had shown the waters warm. Thames wreck’d some twenty ships, and Amazon still more, While Tiber caused dire dread to Romans as of yore. At length the mighty sea, lamenting such a fray, By these wise words prevailed their envious wrath to stay. “Dear streams! you once were one—to me you all return. Oh! cease then—being one—with jealousies to burn!” FOOTPATH BETWEEN THE PATHWAY AND RIVER.