Part 9 (1/2)

”EXACTLY SO”

A |speech|, both pithy and concise, Marks a mind acute and wise; What speech, my friend, say, do you know, Can stand before ”Exactly so?”

I have a dear and witty friend Who turns this phrase to every end; None can deny that ”Yes” or ”No”

Is meant in this ”Exactly so.”

Or when a bore his ear a.s.sails, Good-humour in his bosom fails, No response from his lips will flow, Save, now and then, ”Exactly so.”

Is there remark on matters grave That he may wish perchance to waive, Or thinks perhaps is rather slow, He stops it by ”Exactly so.”

It saves the trouble of a thought-- No sour dispute can thence be sought; It leaves the thing in _statu quo_, This beautiful ”Exactly so.”

It has another charm, this phrase, For it implies the speaker's praise Of what has just been said--_ergo_-- It pleases, this ”Exactly so.”

Nor need the conscience feel distress, By answ'ring wrongly ”No” or ”Yes;”

It 'scapes a falsehood, which is low, And subst.i.tutes ”Exactly so.”

Each mortal loves to think he's right, That his opinion, too, is bright; Then, Christian, you may soothe your foe By chiming in ”Exactly so.”

Whoe'er these lines may chance peruse, Of this famed word will see the use, And mention where'er he may go, The praises of ”Exactly so.”

Of this more could my muse relate, But you, kind reader, I'll not sate; For if I did you'd cry ”Hallo!

I've heard enough”--”Exactly so.”

_Lady T. Hastings._

COMPANIONS

A TALE OF A GRANDFATHER

I know not of what we ponder'd Or made pretty pretence to talk, As, her hand within mine, we wander'd Tow'rd the pool by the lime-tree walk, While the dew fell in showers from the pa.s.sion flowers And the blush-rose bent on her stalk.

I cannot recall her figure: Was it regal as Juno's own?

Or only a trifle bigger Than the elves who surround the throne Of the Faery Queen, and are seen, I ween, By mortals in dreams alone?

What her eyes were like, I know not: Perhaps they were blurr'd with tears; And perhaps in your skies there glow not (On the contrary) clearer spheres.

No! as to her eyes I am just as wise As you or the cat, my dears.

Her teeth, I presume, were ”pearly”: But which was she, brunette or blonde?

Her hair, was it quaintly curly, Or as straight as a beadle's wand?

That I fail'd to remark;--it was rather dark And shadowy round the pond.

Then the hand that reposed so snugly In mine,--was it plump or spare?

Was the countenance fair or ugly?

Nay, children, you have me there!

_My_ eyes were p'r'aps blurr'd; and besides I'd heard That it's horribly rude to stare.

And I--was I brusque and surly?