"THEREFORE ON THIS BRIGHT MAY DAY ARE WE WREATHING A FLOWERY BAND TO BIND US ROUND THE EARTH."--KEATS, _slightly altered._] * * * * * THANK YOU! (_For a Photograph, inscribed "With Ethel Travers's kind regards."_) [Illustration] It was only a week in the brightest of summers, We played tennis and golf, and, when ended the day, We made furious love as two amateur mummers, Whilst Act IV. saw us One in the orthodox way. So my holiday ended. I begged a reminder, I asked you to send me a portrait that should Be a sweet recollection, and you, who were kinder Than I ever deserved or dared hope, said you would. Then we parted. Life seemed to be painfully lonely, Though I dreamt of a future with you by my side, Till my common-sense seemed to say, "_You_, who are only, Just a poor needy teacher, have _Her_ for a bride!" It was true, and I knew it. Yet why had I met you? Why had Fate kept such bitter-sweet fortune in store? So determined I set myself then to forget you, And to let my thoughts dwell on yourself nevermore. First your hair with its gold, next your eyes with their laughter, I forgot in a thoroughly workman-like style. Persevering, I never desisted till after Many months I but faintly remembered your smile. I completely forgot you (I thought) and the warning Was to save me, I chortled, a future of pain, But you undid it all with your picture this morning, And the same old, old trouble starts over again. The Fates are a trifle hard, putting it mildly, For they well might have spared me this finishing touch Of your portrait, which speaking quite calmly yet Wildely, I admire all the more since I hate it so much. I shall treasure it, though. Thanks--a thousand--to you, dear. When in sweet meditation your fancy runs free, Is it asking too much that a stray thought or two, dear, From your kindness of heart may come straying to me? * * * * * POLITICS AND POLITENESS. DEAR MR. PUNCH,--I see that the Duke of ARGYLL, when he received the freedom of the Burgh of Paisley, the other day, told the following interesting story:-- "I was going once to call on a lady in London, and when the door was opened and the servant announced my name, I saw the lady advancing to the door with a look of absolute consternation on her face. I could not conceive what had happened, and thought I had entered her room at some inconvenient moment, but, on looking over her shoulder, I perceived Mr. and Mrs. GLADSTONE sitting at the tea-table, and she evidently thought that there would be some great explosion when we met. She was greatly gratified when nothing of the kind occurred, and we enjoyed a cup of tea as greatly as we had ever done in our lives."