SEMENDRIAN BEAUTY
Lovely maiden of Semendria! Hail thee, youth! and health be with thee! Hast thou visited the markets? Saw'st thou there a sheet of paper? Like that paper is my forehead. Hast thou ever seen the vineyard, Seen the rosy wine that flows there? Youth! my cheeks that wine resemble. Didst thou ever walk the meadows, Hast thou seen the black sloe-berry? That black sloe my eyes will paint thee: Hast thou wandered near the ocean? Hast thou seen the pijavica?[[14]] Like it are the maiden's eye-brows. S. J. B.
XXV
SELF-ADMIRATION
A maiden to the fountain went; I saw her overhang the place— And—she was young and innocent— I heard her say with simple grace, "Indeed she has a pretty face; And if she had a spring-flower wreath, How well 'twould sit upon her brow; And she might hear the shepherd breathe, Yes! thou shalt be my maiden now! The shepherd—'midst his fleecy drove, Goes like a moon the stars above." S. J. B.
XXVI
ASSIGNATION
Maiden! let us share each other's kisses! Tell me, tell me, where shall be our meeting, In thy garden, or in mine, sweet maiden? Under thine, or under my green rose-tree; Thou shalt be a rose, my gentle angel: I to a fond butterfly will change me, Everlastingly o'er thee to flutter— On thy flowers untired I will suspend me, Living blest upon mine own love's kisses. S. J. B.