Constance and Martuccio
Came underneath the myrtle-trees,
Saw Constance by the fountain stand
With lilies reaching to her knees,
With roses set on either hand.
About her knees the lilies rise
Like starry flowers look her eyes —
She stands like spring and smiles upon the land.
He stayed awhile and looked at her
With such sad meaning in his face
It seemed as though he could not bear
To ruin all her tender grace.
Then in his hand he took a ring,
And sighed awhile to hear her sing :
"Come back, my Love, come home, tor Spring is here!"
He sighed, and kneeling where she stood,
Said, "Lady, I have news to tell!"
"Now Mary grant thy news be good!"
Said Constance, white as lily-bell.
"I am a sailor, lady dear.
It was my captain sent me here—
Martuccio Gomito. ..."Pray Heaven he's well!"
"Lady, the spring to-day is fair.
But it must know a winter's blight.
Lady, the lilies that you wear
Will wither long before the night " —
" What ! Came you from so far away
To tell me it is Spring to-day .'
Tell what you dare not tell ! Kill me outright ! "
"Constance, my lord is very ill."
"Ah, Heaven," she cried, "my love is dead!
I love him!" said she, calm and still.
"Have you no word from his deathbed?"
"At the last hour this ring he gave.
Saying something, but a whelming wave
Drowned it and him, and all but me," he said.
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