I'll soon pluck from its bower In secrecy ; And bear it to some isle To feast upon its smile Unceasingly. ΠΙ. While LEON sang, a minstrel old, Of wonder, woe and want, drew near, To give his song attentive ear. IV. His frame was bowed, his limbs were weak, Sorrow had furrowed deep his cheek; And o'er his thin, dishevelled hair, That bore no marks of recent care, And beard that on his bosom hung, A century her frost had flung. He may have been descendant of The wandering tribe of troubadours, Who sang of war and ladye love, And knightly feats on Paynim shores. V. His harp he loosened from his arm, And while he eyed young LEON'S form, SONG. In Sicily there lives a maid Her hair is fair as the fairy floss Her skin like ivory, Her cheeks more fresh than freshest rose Of spicy Araby. Her sire-he is of noble birth, His gold and lands are great ; Young ROSALIE the only heir Of all his high estate. And many a lofty knight, and lord, And baron of the land, Have sought upon their bended knee That lovely lady's hand. But she doth turn away from all, He is a youthful nobleman Who follows much the sea, And often anchors in the bay Of rocky Sicily. 'Tis said he soon will wed maid Fair as his native sky- If this be so, young ROSALIE With grief will pine and die. The song lit up VI. Lord LEON's eye, His pulse beat quick-he knew not why. He gently waved the harper near, VII. "Where dost thou dwell? where hast thou been? A minstrel so infirm and gray As thou, before I ne'er have seen Or heard of, save in harper's lay Or legend old;" the youthful lord With gentle seeming, asked the bard. VIII. 66 Stranger in sooth this frame is weak, And strive my mournful lyre to sweep. Stranger for years my care hath been, IX. I have been to AUSONIA's shore, To Sicily am crossing o'er, To see the Lady ROSALIE. Of love, and the Italian lord, I shall return to Italy To soothe the mournful EMILIE." "I'd fain, sweet minstrel, thou would'st call, And sweep thy lyre in UGo's hall; There dwells a lady young and fair, Who'll give thy song attentive ear." |