Nor on the letter yet hath she

The image of her seal impressed.

But gray Phillippevna the door

Opened with care, and entering bore

A cup of tea upon a tray.

"'Tis time, my child, arise, I pray!

My beauty, thou art ready too.

My morning birdie, yesternight

I was half silly with affright.

But praised be God! in health art thou!

The pains of night have wholly fled,

Thy cheek is as a poppy red!"

XXXVI.

"Ah! nurse, a favour do for me!"

"Command me, darling, what you choose"

"Do not - you might - suspicious be;

But look you - ah! do not refuse."

"I call to witness God on high - "

"Then send your grandson quietly

To take this letter to O - Well!

Unto our neighbour. Mind you tell -

Command him not to say a word -

I mean my name not to repeat."

"To whom is it to go, my sweet?

Of late I have been quite absurd, -

So many neighbours here exist -

Am I to go through the whole list?"

XXXVII.

"How dull you are this morning, nurse!"

"My darling, growing old am I!

In age the memory gets worse,

But I was sharp in times gone by.

In times gone by thy bare command - "

"Oh! nurse, nurse, you don't understand!