THE STATUE AND THE BUST.
163
"Alas! my lady leaves the south.
Each wind that comes from the Apennine
Is a menace to her tender youth.
Each wind that comes from the Apennine
Is a menace to her tender youth.
"No way exists, the wise opine,
If she quits her palace twice this year,
To avert the flower of life's decline."
If she quits her palace twice this year,
To avert the flower of life's decline."
Quoth the Duke, "A sage and a kindly fear.
Moreover Petraja is cold this spring—
Be our feast to-night as usual here!"
Moreover Petraja is cold this spring—
Be our feast to-night as usual here!"
And then to himself—"Which night shall bring
Thy bride to her lover's embraces, fool—
Or I am the fool, and thou art his king!
Thy bride to her lover's embraces, fool—
Or I am the fool, and thou art his king!
"Yet my passion must wait a night, nor cool—
For to-night the Envoy arrives from France,
Whose heart I unlock with thyself, my tool.
For to-night the Envoy arrives from France,
Whose heart I unlock with thyself, my tool.
