QUICK ACTION
"'Are you preaching?' asked Athalie, raising her eyesfrom the Green God." [Page 252]
QUICK ACTION
By
ROBERT W. CHAMBERS
ILLUSTRATED BY
EDMUND FREDERICK
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
NEW YORK AND LONDON: MCMXIV
Copyright, 1914, by
ROBERT W. CHAMBERS
Copyright, 1913, by Harper's Bazaar, Inc.
Copyright, 1914, by The Star Co.
Printed in the United States of America
TO
PENELOPE SEARS
DEBUTANTE
To rhyme your nameWith something lovely, fresh and young,And sing the sameIn measures heretofore unsung,Is far beyond me, I'm afraid;I'll not attempt it, dearest maid.
No, not in verse,Synthetic, stately, classic, chaste,Shall I rehearse—Although in perfectly good taste—A catalogue of every graceThat you inherit from your race.
Gracious and kind,The gods your beauty gave to you,And with a mindThese same kind gods endowed you, too;That charming union is, I fear,Somewhat uncommon on this sphere.
I have no doubtThat scores of poets chant your fame;No doubt, aboutA million suitors press their claim;And fashion, elegance and witAre at your feet inclined to sit.
Penelope,The fire-light flickers to and fro:In you I seeThe winsome child I used to know—My little Maiden of RomanceStill whirling in your Shadow Dance.
Though woman-grown,To my unreconciled surpriseI gladly ownThe same light lies within your eyes—The same sweet candour which beg
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