VII.

Yet long in secret nourished was the flame, Ere either had declared it--ere ’twas known, Save by themselves, to aught that bore their name. The rapturous joy more rapture gave alone. From eye to eye had Love in glances flown, In whispered cadence dew delicious shed. A stolen pressure of the hand, a tone Unheard save by one ear, a language dead To all save lovers--strains like this their passion fed:--

Song of the Balcony.

1.

Upraise thy dark mantilla’s edge, And shrink not like a fawn away; But near the balconcillo’s ledge Move for Sant’ Anna’s love, I pray; And bend, oh, bend those glorious eyes Upon thy slave once more, once more; For streams no star from yon blue skies I would as soon adore!

2.

Encantadora! All is hushed; In deep repose our kinsmen sleep; Tears from these streaming lids have gushed, In rapture that your tryst you keep. Ah! must I never throb more nigh Than at our casements’ sundered height, Nor steal this distant glimpse of joy But in the depth of night!

3.

_Pordiez!_ I would I were a bird, To glide on air beside thy charms, To press thy lip at every word, To fold thee in my longing arms! Oh, yes, by yon star-spangled, soft, Unutterable depth of blue, I swear, as I have murmured oft, To live and die for you!

4.

Within thy balcon’s dusky sphere Thou gleamest like an orient pearl; At times I doubt what form is near, An angel or my angel girl! Put coyly forth thy beauteous head, Lest stars grow dim, and Dian pale; Nor let thy voice its music shed; To wake they could not fail!

5.

Upraise thy dark mantilla’s edge, And shrink not like a fawn away; But near the balconcillo’s ledge Move for Sant’ Anna’s love, I pray. And bend, oh bend, those glorious eyes Upon thy slave once more, once more; For streams no star from yon blue skies I would as soon adore!