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Ellen Nussey Observes
Charlotte is painting my portrait
(I think there is nothing she cannot do!)
'Dear Nell', says she, 'your eyes wander over much.
Beware Mr Weightman's attentions, I fear he's a satyr,
dances and sings at the least provocation,
leaps tussocks, balances on field walls,
bringing hot flushes to our little Anne
who's scarce out of the schoolroom.
Nor is he above ogling between sermons
half the lasses of Haworth.'
Anne is struggling with German.
(I think there is nothing she will not attempt).
'was hast du gestern gelesen?'
she demands of a mournful cow
who unsurprisingly answers her not.
She means to discuss Goethe with Emmy.
In a moment the two will go off together,
lie on the sward of this brief summer,
chew grass stalks and smell the earth
which is already in love with them both.
Lewis Hosegood
© Wendy Bardsley 2014