The princess looked down from her bower high, The princess looked down from her bower high, FROM MONTE PINCIO EVENING is coming, the sun waxes red, Hid is yon valley 'neath thousand years' veil. Evening so red and warm Glows as the people swarm, Flowers and brown eyes fair. Great men of old stand in marble erected, Waiting, scarce known and neglected. Vespers are ringing, through roseate air Twilight in churches now broadens and rises, Shepherds' lights through the Campagna are dotted, Rome with her lamps dimly breaks on the sight,— Shadowy legend from history's night. But to the evening's spell Mora and laughter gay; Colors and tones in all thoughts are enthroning Lost has the light in its soundless affray, Fleeing the darkness, the eyes seek the city, Gaily to dance and wine Mandolins give the sign. Monkish song, noise of streets, Drowned by a drum's stern beats; Through all the dreaming life's arteries flowing, Glimpses of daylight are going. Silence o'er all, and the darker blue sky But they will gather, and Rome be resurgent, Charming in hope so rare, Music of harp and flute. Mightier yearnings sweet sleep is beguiling;- I IF ONLY YOU KNEW IT DARE never speak up to you, For you to look down would not do, But always you are there each day, And always I wander this way. Our thoughts go by stealth to make search and renew it, When constantly I could be found, But now that I rarely appear, Two eyes, oh, two eyes made a snare and then drew it, Yes, if you but guessed, this might be A poem for you made by me, Whose billowy lines just now fly Up where you stand graceful and high! THE ANGELS OF SLEEP ASLEEP the child fell When night cast its spell; The angels came near With laughter and cheer. Her watch at its waking the mother was keeping: "How sweet, my dear child, was your smile now while sleeping!" To God mother went, From home it was rent; Asleep the child fell 'Neath tears' troublous spell. But soon it heard laughter and mother-words tender; The angels brought dreams full of childhood's rare splendor. Till gone were the tears; Asleep the child fell, While thoughts cast their spell. But faithful the angels their vigils were keeping, The thoughts took and whispered: "Have peace now, while sleeping!" THE MAIDEN ON THE SHORE SHE wandered so young on the shore around, In shadow wide, He painted the shore and herself beside. More slowly she wandered near him around, Herself so true, Reflected in ocean with heaven's blue. All driven and drawn far and wide around The man so near, Did ever the sunshine so bright appear! |