THE GAME OF LOVE.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 167, 24 November 1883, Page 10

THE GAME OF LOVE.

A Lawn-Teicnisonian Idyl. I, who for a decade pasfc had lived recluse, Left for a while the dust of books and town, To share the pastimes of a country house ; And thus it chanced that I beheld a scene That steeped my rusted soul in wonderment. The moon was passing fair — no Tagrant cloud Obscured the summer sun — as from the porch I sallied forth to saunter at my will Adown the garden path. Anon I came To where a lawn outspread its verdant robe, Whose decorations filled me with amaze. Lawns many had I seen in days gone by, But never lawn the like of this before ; For, o'er its grassy plain, a strange device Of parallelograms rectangular Was limned in lines of most exceeding whiteness. Athwart the centre of this strange device A threaden net was stretched a full yard high, And, clasped in its reticulated arms, As ivy clasps the oak, two sturdy staves Upreared on either side. At either end, Holding opposing corners of the field, A youth and damsel did themselves disport, In costumes airy, mystic, wonderful ; The while in dexter hand each held a quaint And spoon - shaped instrument of chequered strings, Modelled, perchance, upon an ancient lute, Wherewith they nimbly urged the bounding spheres Across the me3hy bar. No space had I To ponder ere they spied me, and did call A welcome, " Hast thou come to see us play ?" " What is the game ?" I asked ; they answered, 14 Love." "A pretty game," quoth I, "for man and maid, But one wherein a third is out of place j Fain would I therefore go." " Nay, nay," they cried, " Prithee remain, and thou shalt stand as umpire." And so I stayed, and presently besought To know their prospects. Then the maiden said, "I'm fifteen now ;" and the gallant he replied, " And thirty I ;" whereon me thought, at first, That he did somewhat overstate his case, Though she seemed rather underneath the mark. But when they said that she was thirty too, And next that he was forty, I perceived They told of other things than length of years, Since mortal?' ages, c'en at census times, Could scarce be subject to such iluctuations. Thus did they wa«;e the contest — hither, thither, Eunning and smiling, till, triumphantly, The damsel shouted l! Deuce !" Alas ! mused I, That lips so fair should utter words so base ! Yet would have held my peace, had not the youth Turned unto me — "How's that? was that a FAULT ?" " A fault !" I answered, " aye, and worse than that — Indeed, 'tis nigh a sin." " Q-o to," he said, " Thou makest merry." So the sport went on. And then she said, " Advantage, and I win ;" And then 'tis "Deuce" again, and then "Advantage To thee." And then she strove to reach the ball, And failed, and in despair exclaimed, " Oh, dear, I'm beaten !" and fell back upon the sward. " And this," quoth I, " is your game of love ! Well, I've heard men say; that oftentimes True \ove, once smooth, ,is scattered to the rarer CE, And she that first advantage hath obtained, Doth lose at last, and suffer sad reverse. Sweet maid, when thou art wed, the deuce avoid, . And thou shalt ne'er at least deserve a beating !" She laughed; he frowned; I turned, and went my way.

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