LESSON 61 MY VISITOR

MY VISITOR

perched en-tered trim-mings

san-dals di-a-monds scam-pered

neigh-bour i-vo-ry shoul-ders

1. While, one evening, I was sitting

　　Quite alone, and all was still,

　Lo! I saw a little lady

　　Perched upon the window-sill.

2. She had entered by the window,

　　Just to make a hasty call;

　So she did not think of taking

　　Off her hat or gloves at all.

3. Such a pretty little lady!

　　And so very, very small!

　I am sure my youngest dolly

　　Was a dozen times as tall.

4. Never could a dress be nicer

　　Than the simple gown of grey,

　That was hanging from her shoulders

　　In a close and clinging 〔1〕 way.

5. On her head a little bonnet

　　Perched, but I could see no strings,

　Though on either side the trimmings

　　Looked for all the world like wings.

6. For her gloves she'd silken mittens 〔2〕 ,

　　With her fingers peeping through;

　And her feet were shod in sandals 〔3〕 ,

　　Neater far than any shoe.

7. Now about her face I'll tell you;

　　For she turned it to the light,

　And I saw her eyes like diamonds 〔4〕 ,

　　And her teeth were ivory white.

8. Did the lady say "Good-evening"?

　　No, nor any other word;

　If she did, she spoke so softly,

　　And so low, I never heard.

9. When I asked her what she wanted,

　　In my very sweetest tone,

　Round she turned and off she

　　scampered 〔5〕 ,

　　Leaving me again alone.

10. For this pretty little lady

　　Was my neighbour, Mrs. Mouse,

　And 'twas only hopes of supper

　　That had brought her to my house.

—J. STAFFORD

注释

〔1〕 clinging: Lying close to the body.

〔2〕 mittens: Fingerless gloves.

〔3〕 sandal: Shoe made of a sole which is strapped to the foot.

〔4〕 diamonds: Bright sparkling stones of great value.

〔5〕 scampered: Ran off quickly.