Xiii

He laughed with a superior sneer, Enough to shake e'en woman's faith; "Wilt thou believe me, simple dear, If I am able now," he saith, "To show her here?"

She cried aloud with gladsome heart, "Be that the test whereon to try thee; Nature and heaven shall take my part: Come, show this rival; I defy thee And all thy art."

A mirror, held in readiness, He set upright before her feet-- "Now can thy simple charms compete With beauty such as this?"