E’en when with beautiful good-will Emilia through the long quadrille Conducted me, alas the day, Ten times I wished myself away. But she, invested with a dower Of conscious, scarce-exerted power, Emilia, so, I know not why, They called her now, not Emily, Amid the living, heaving throng, Sedately, somewhat, moved along, Serenely, somewhat, in the dance Mingled, divining at a glance, And reading every countenance; Not stately she, nor grand nor tall, Yet looked as if controlling all The fluctuations of the ball; Her subjects ready at her call, All others, she a queen, her throne Preparing, and her title known, Though not yet taken as her own. O wonderful! I still can see, And twice she came and danced with me. She asked me of my school, and what Those prizes were that I had got, And what we learnt, and ‘oh,’ she said, ‘How much to carry in one’s head,’ And I must be upon my guard, And really must not work too hard: Who were my friends? and did I go Ever to balls? I told her no: She said, ‘I really like them so; But then I am a girl; and dear, You like your friends at school, I fear Better than anybody here.’ How long had she left school, I asked. Two years, she told me, and I tasked My faltering speech to learn about Her life, but could not bring it out: This while the dancers round us flew. Helston, whom formerly I knew, My schoolfellow, was at the ball, A man full-statured, fair and tall, Helston of Helston now they said, Heir to his uncle, who was dead; In the army, too: he danced with three Of the four sisters. Emily Refused him once, to dance with me. How long it seemed! and yet at one We left, before ’twas nearly done: How thankful I! the journey through I talked to them with spirits new; And the brief sleep of closing night Brought a sensation of delight, Which, when I woke, was exquisite. The music moving in my brain I felt; in the gay crowd again Half felt, half saw the girlish bands, On their white skirts their white-gloved hands, Advance, retreat, and yet advance, And mingle in the mingling dance. The impulse had arrived at last, When the opportunity was past. Breakfast my soft sensations first With livelier passages dispersed. Reposing in his country home, Which half luxurious had become, Gay was their father, loudly flung His guests and blushing girls among, His jokes; and she, their mother, too, Less anxious seemed, with less to do, Her daughters aiding. As the day Advanced, the others went away, But I must absolutely stay, The girls cried out; I stayed and let Myself be once more half their pet, Although a little on the fret. How ill our boyhood understands Incipient manhood’s strong demands! Boys have such troubles of their own, As none, they fancy, e’er have known, Such as to speak of, or to tell, They hold, were unendurable: