The Fly in the Ointment.

It was over a year since he'd met her
And fallen a prey to her charms;
His attentions could not have been better,
She received him with welcoming arms.
He plied her with chocolates and ices,
He took her to dances and shows,
But the matter had come to no crisis,
And he made no attempt to propose.
Said he, “I'm a good looking feller,
My income and prospects are good;
Of my fondness I really should tell her,
And—but for one drawback—I would.
I'd make the espousal suggestion,
But it's this that impels me to stop—
It's not so much popping the question.
As the matter of questioning ‘pop.'”

—R.G.P.