One braids her showers of raven hair, Another laves her temples fair, That for a fairy's foot might do. And laces limpid as the light, With pearls and diamonds twine her brow, And o'er her drop a veil of snow. VI. Aurora, weary of the night, Has flung apart the gates of light-- The Day-god shoots his amorous glance, Who from her bridesmaids sits apart, Holding the portal of her heart Against the knocking of Remorse, That soon will wrench it ope perforce. VII. Aghast and pale the bridesmaids start- Wild glances on each other dart- "Ho! Murder! murder!" through the Castle Bursts from the lip of slave and vassal "Blood!" rings along the corridor-- All pale, and still, and stark, he lies! Death's white film drawn across his And icy cold in every part! For reasons none may e'er divine, eyes, For Heaven he's changed the nuptial shrine ! · Oh! Saints! Oh! Holy Virgin! hear! For LEONARDO's soul my prayer!" "Oh! Holy Mary! I'm undone ! " In faltering tones the Bride begun ; Once more I'd bend on him mine eyes, And clasp the hand that death has won: To her dead LEONARDO'S side: This day we have a funeral !" VIII. Within that Castle's highest tower, So cold, so pale the beams of day Begins to say her Rosary; And, bowing to the company, As only dead Bridegroom could bow, Wrote "murderess" in blood upon her brow. CANTO III. THE VOYAGE-THE HARPER—THE ACQUAINTANCE-THE WEDDING. I. MORN is abroad, the sun is up, The dew fills high the lily's cup; Ten thousand blossoms blushing there And smiling hail the morning beam; Young Nature holds a holiday. II. The rising tide with heavy flow Afar upon the restless sea, Lord LEON'S bark with swelling sail Across the brine, where wildly tost The sailors gather upon the deck, His elbow resting on his knee; And when the wave no more permits Him sight of sunny Italy, Like one whose thoughts are far away, He murmurs to himself this lay. SONG. Thou hast faded from my sight, Fair Italy; But still, thy star shines bright To me-to me. Thy sweetest, fairest flower, My Italy, |