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,
 And 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?