Classic Poem

What would our modern maids to-day?
I watch, and can't conjecture:
A dubious tale?—an Ibsen play?—
A pessimistic lecture?

I know not. But this, Child, I know
You like things sweet and seemly,
Old-fashioned flowers, old shapes in Bow,
‘Auld Robin Gray’ (extremely);

You—with my ‘Dorothy’—delight
In fragrant cedar-presses;
In window corners warm and bright,
In lawn, and lilac dresses;

You still can read, at any rate,
Charles Lamb and ‘Evelina’;
To you, My Dear, I dedicate
This ‘S TORY OF R OSINA .’