Explore "The Poet's Proposal" by Oliver Herford on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"Phyllis, if I could I'd paint you / As I see you sitting there, / You distracting little saint, you, / With your aureole of hair.
If I only _were_ an artist, / And such glances could be caught, / You should have the very smartest / Picture frame that can be bought!
"Phyllis, since I can't depict your / Charms, or give you aught but fame, / Will you be yourself the picture? / Will you let me be the frame? / Whose protecting clasp may bind you / Always -- "
"Nay," cried Phyllis; "hold, / Or you'll force me to remind you / Paintings _must_ be framed with gold! "