For works with similar titles, see Ballad.
BALLAD.
Come, Giulia, braid my hair; smooth let it be;
Some other time I'll do my best for thee.
Thine is so rippled! Mine one even flow,
Nor wave, nor curl—'tis well—Alesso likes it so.
Some other time I'll do my best for thee.
Thine is so rippled! Mine one even flow,
Nor wave, nor curl—'tis well—Alesso likes it so.
Look how Helena shakes. Is't so much colder?
Too cold for clouds. I would the moon were older!
'Twill light him, though. Oh put thy work away,
Sister! come near the fire. It is no longer day.
Too cold for clouds. I would the moon were older!
'Twill light him, though. Oh put thy work away,
Sister! come near the fire. It is no longer day.
We'll have no flowers but sea-flowers, wreaths, spray-fair,
Alesso's self shall crown my braided hair.
Sister, come help! Forget thine old, old sorrow.
I cannot think of grief. A bride I'll be to-morrow!
Alesso's self shall crown my braided hair.
Sister, come help! Forget thine old, old sorrow.
I cannot think of grief. A bride I'll be to-morrow!
Is the moon up? Methinks the wind gets loud.
See'st thou the boat? Is yon dark speck a cloud, Helena, look!
(Once I too, had a lover,
Waited his sail, his step—sweet days for ever over!)
See'st thou the boat? Is yon dark speck a cloud, Helena, look!
(Once I too, had a lover,
Waited his sail, his step—sweet days for ever over!)
Yes, 'tis the boat. What was Helena saying?
The boat, the boat! Hist, how the hound keeps baying!
Smooth down my braids. Let's make the fire burn faster.
Let Beppo loose—without!—Go welcome back thy master.
The boat, the boat! Hist, how the hound keeps baying!
Smooth down my braids. Let's make the fire burn faster.
Let Beppo loose—without!—Go welcome back thy master.