"How many, think you? Only one, two, three," The maiden said. "Here we have all the world In this one cottage--artist, teacher, taught, In--not to mar the order of the scale For courtesy--yourself, myself, my aunt. You are an artist, so my aunt reports; But, as an artist, you are nought to her. And now, to broach a petted theory, Let me presume too boldly, while I say She cannot understand you, though I can; You cannot measure her, though she is wise. You have not much for her, and that you have You cannot teach her; but I, knowing her, Can pick from your creations crumbs of thought She will find manna. In the hands of Christ The five loaves grew, the fishes multiplied; And he to his disciples gave the feast-- They to the multitude. Artists are few, Teachers are thousands, and the world is large. Artists are nearest God. Into their souls He breathes his life, and from their hands it comes In fair, articulate forms to bless the world; And yet, these forms may never bless the world Except its teachers take them in their hands, And give each man his portion." As she spoke In earnest eloquence, I could have knelt, And worshipped her. Her delicate cheek was flushed, Her eyes were filled with light, and her closed book Was pressed against her heart, whose throbbing tide Thridded her temples. I was half amused, Half rapt in admiration; and she saw That in my eyes at which she blushed and paused. "Your pardon, Sir," she said. "It ill becomes A teacher to instruct an artist." "Nay, It does become you wondrously," I said With light but earnest words. "Pray you go on; And pardon all that my unconscious eyes Have done to stop you." "I have little more That I would care to say: you have my thought," She answered; "yet there's very much to say, And you should say it." "Not I, lady, no: A poet is not practical like you, Nor sensible like you. You can teach him As well as tamer folk. In truth, I think He needs instruction quite as much as they For whom he writes." "That's possible," she said With an arch smile. "Will you explain yourself?"