"Look not imploringly, nor falter, Be doomed to meet this rival, loathed, Descending from his Lady's tower "Oh! be not angry with me, sire, To LEONARDO, at the shrine, This willing hand I will resign. Then pardon, sire, this luckless greeting, This last and most unhappy meeting Between me and GUDONI's son We'll meet no more as we have done, "Come to my bosom, fairest flower, That buds and blooms in Tiber's bower ! Thy loveliness disarms mine ire, And leaves me only one desire, Which is to see my FLORENCE blessed!" His erring daughter to his breast-- And to the heart had stabbed the Viper, Flung down his harp, and stayed his hand. From all the lords of Italy, Fair FLORENCE has selected thee To lead her to the nuptial shrine, Which thou wilt do to-morrow at nine-- Again I place her hand in thine- Again invoke the saints divine- Now let us leave our lovely Idol To slumber and to thoughts of early bridal." "Pardon me!" LEONARDO sighed, "If I address my blushing Bride— Of all the lords in Italy, Young LEON is most fascinating-Perchance the worthiest to be " "O LEONARDO! cease debating The question which it is my pride In thy dear favor to decide; There's not another in the land So worthy of this willing hand," “ Beautiful! beatific blossom! Come to this reverential bosom ! While through it ebbs one crimson billow As now in blessed embrace we stand, In Hymen's consecrated bowers, Thus ardently the bridegroom sighed, III. "The saints be thanked! I am alone!" She sighed in stifled undertone- And from her finger flung the ring As snake whose fangs envenomed tore her, Touched for her trusty page a spring, Who, in an instant stood before her. Thrice up and down the room she flew, Then from her belt a dagger drew, And fixed, and fierce, as she-wolf gazed Into his eyes, with terror glazed- "Art thou afraid of blood!" she said- "Thou need'st not speak, thy thoughts I've read--Muffle thy feet--fly--plunge this dart Deep into LEONARDO's heart! Nor leave a witness of the deed, Or for the act thou too shalt bleed!" IV. The page departed--and returned With crimson spots upon his soul, That eating down into it burned, "Hast thou complied with my commands?" ""Tis done, my Lady, thoroughly !” "Is there no blood upon thy hands! To fix the crimson deed on thee? Where did'st thou leave that friendly dart?" "Buried in LEONARDO's heart, Lady!" (6 'It is his own stiletto--one He gave to me 'tis known to none No stain upon thee, nor the stairs, The astute jury will decide That it is but a suicide, Upon the dead will fix the crime, And send the case to Heaven for trial "Tis four o'clock by yonder dial-- To robe me for the nuptial shrine-- V. Promptly the anxious maids attend, |