YOUTH ENAMOURED
"Where wert thou! Misho! yesterday?" "O 'twas a happy day for me! A lovely maiden cross'd my way A maiden smiling lovelily And those sweet smiles for me were meant; I claimed her—mother answer'd, 'No!' Would steal her—vain was the intent, For many guardians watch'd her so. There grows a verdant almond-tree Before her house—its boughs I'll climb; Wail like a cuckoo mournfully, And swallow-like, at evening time, Pour forth my woe in throbbings deep And like a sorrowing widow sigh, And like a youthful maiden weep. So may her mother turn her eye, Pitying my grief, her heart may move, And she may give me her I love." S. J. B.
LXVIII
BLACK EYES AND BLUE
I wish the happy time were nigh, When youths are sold, that I might buy. But for an azure-eyed Mlinar,[[28]] I would not give a single dinar, Though for a raven-black eyed youth, A thousand golden coins, in truth. Alas! alas! and is it true? My own fair youth has eyes of blue; Yes! they are blue—yet dear to me— Will he forgive my levity? Ye maidens! pray him to forgive me; Nay! spare me now—and rather leave me To tell him "I am yours"—and smile In fond affection all the while. S. J. B.
LXIX
THE WIDOW
Rose! O smile upon the youth no longer; He in his impatience to be wedded, Chose a widow for his years unsuited, And wher'er she goes, where'er she tarries, She is mourning for her ancient husband. "O my husband! first and best possession! Happy were the days we spent together! Early we retired and late we waken'd Thou didst wake me kissing my white forehead, 'Up, my heart! the sun is high in heaven, And our aged mother is arisen.'" S. J. B.