For loyalty is not a jest, No sweeter word is said or sung, Take time to learn that truth is best, My Lady of the Silver Tongue.
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O river, sweeping to the sea! How clear your waters are,-- So clear they mirror faithfully Each fleecy cloud and star.
O river, running to the sea! How fresh the breath you fling, As on you speed right merrily From winds that chase and sing!
“_Men, give more frankness and less flattery_,” So read Minerva from her essay fine. “_Men, give more frankness and less flattery_,” Much emphasis she laid upon this line. “We are no foolish children to be fed On empty words of unearned praise, forsooth, Too long in such poor ways have we been led, Give us no compliment--give us the truth, Think not a woman pines to hear you tell How beautiful her form, how fair her face, Think not she whispers to herself, ‘’Tis well!’ When you proclaim her rich in every grace. You think to please her--Ah, sir, vain your dream,
When next such fulsome praises you may speak, Mark well her eyes, and read their scornful gleam, And note the angry blush, on brow and cheek. Be fair, speak out your thoughts as they may rise, Nor seek to hide them, since the truth is grand All praise unmerited we do despise, If you could read our mind, and understand. Men, give more frankness, and less flattery, Remember, we are neither dull, nor blind, Men, give more frankness, and less flattery, If you would win the trust of womankind.”
Much marvelled I at dear Minerva’s lay, But thought she truly meant each earnest word, And so neglected telling her straightway How much her genius had my bosom stirred; Neglected telling her that if two wings But grew out from her shoulders soft and white, Fair would she be as seraph mild that sings The songs of love in Paradise to-night, Neglected telling her the flowers she wore Drooped with the heat of their own jealousy, And whispered to each other o’er and o’er: “Ah, how much sweeter is this maid than we!” She begged for frankness from all men--from me-- For this her wondrous eloquence was poured. So afterwards when she did question me, I--foolish man--confessed that I was bored. And when she showed her gown of palest blue, Shook for me all its dainty ruffles out, I would not praise it--though I wanted to-- Her red lips straight took on a pretty pout. “Did not we graduates look very nice?” She asked, and patted one rebellious curl.