RONDEL.

WHAT are the sweetest words to hear"

(My love asked, gazing in my eyes), -

"The sweetest words for all the year,

The sweetest words for centuries?"

I have thy leave to make replies,

To tell thee freely without fear

The words that in my thought arise,

That deal with all our destinies?

Thou deemest lovers' lips are wise,

And know the sweetest words to hear?

Then shrink not with a maid's surprise,

For now I tell thee without fear

The silence that links destinies,

Giving consent, speaks words so dear

(Thou seest lovers' lips are wise),

That none with them in sweetness vies:

These are the sweetest words to hear.

O. W.