As when frolic winds at play
Shake the folded buds of May
Into sudden blossom.
Shake the folded buds of May
Into sudden blossom.
Soft words to Clorinda speak
Lightly o'er her polished cheek
Such faint colors hover
As a pearly shell may wear
When to it the mermaid fair
Whispers of her lover.
Lightly o'er her polished cheek
Such faint colors hover
As a pearly shell may wear
When to it the mermaid fair
Whispers of her lover.
But doth Helen blush, her face
Such enchanting hues do grace
He who sees supposes
'Neath her eyes two cherubs sit,
Each in mad and merry fit
T'other pelts with roses.
Such enchanting hues do grace
He who sees supposes
'Neath her eyes two cherubs sit,
Each in mad and merry fit
T'other pelts with roses.
HER LADYSHIP'S FAN
A sheath flower-slender
Of nacre and gold—
But dared I unfurl it
What might I behold?
Of nacre and gold—
But dared I unfurl it
What might I behold?
A miniature garden
Where under green trees
Are pacing sedately
Duchesse and marquise
Where under green trees
Are pacing sedately
Duchesse and marquise
Displaying with studied
And languorous grace
Their moon-tinted satins
And shimmering lace?
And languorous grace
Their moon-tinted satins
And shimmering lace?
[ 45 ]
