Up those Museum steps you came,
And straightway all my blood was flame,
O Lallie Lallie!

The world (I had been feeling low)
In one short moment's space did grow
A happy valley

There was a friend, my friend, with you;
A meagre dame, in peacock blue,
Apparelled quaintly:

This poet-heart went pit-a-pat;
I bowed and smiled and raised my hat;
You nodded—faintly.

My heart was full as full could be;
You had not got a word for me,
Not one short greeting;

That nonchalant small nod you gave
(The tyrant's motion to the slave)
Sole mark'd our meeting

Is it so long? Do you forget
That first and last time that we met?
The time was summer;

The trees were green; the sky was blue;
Our host presented me to you—
A tardy comer.

You look'd demure, but when you spoke
You made a little, funny joke.
Yet half pathetic.

Your gown was grey, I recollect,
I think you patronized the sect
They call “æsthetic.”

I brought you strawberries and cream,
I plied you long about a stream
With duckweed laden;

We solemnly discussed the—heat
I found you shy and very sweet
A rosebud maiden

Ah me, to-day! You passed inside
To where the marble gods abide:
Hermes Apollo,

Sweet Aphrodite, Pan; and where,
For aye reclined, a headless fair
Beats all fairs hollow.

And I, I went upon my way,
Well—rather sadder, let us say;
The world looked flatter

I had been sad enough before,
A little less, a little more
What does it matter?