MAN'S FAITH
Say! dost thou remember when under the vine, Thy tears fell in streams on the breast of thy maid; When thy heart burst in joy as I own'd thee for mine? Alas! for the maiden whose peace is betray'd By the tears and the vows of a falsehood like thine! As the changeable sky—now o'erclouded, now bright, Is the faith of thy race—their language to-day, "I will wed thee to-morrow, my love and my light!" To-morrow—"Let's wait till the harvest's away." The harvest is ended, the winter is nigh And another maid dwells in their hearts and their eye. S. J. B.
LXXVII
MAIDEN'S AFFECTION
"Black is the night—an outcast lad Is wandering in our village, mother! Thy daughter's heart is very sad, Sad even to death! He has no home: O give him ours, he has no other, And bid the lad no longer roam!" "Nay! daughter, let this outcast stray, He is a proud and city youth; Will ask for wine at break of day, And costly meats at eve, forsooth, And for his city-tutor'd head Will want a soft and stately bed."
"O mother! In God's name divine, Give the poor lad a shelter now: My eyes shall serve instead of wine, For costly meats my maiden brow. My neck shall be his honey comb. His bed the dewy grass shall be, And heaven his stately canopy. His head shall rest upon my arm. O mother! give the youth a home, And shelter, shelter him from harm." S. J. B.
LXXVIII
MARRIAGE SONGS
The Marriage Leader:
"Make ready! make ready," To his sister the youth is repeating; "Make ready my steed for the wedding, O sister! the young Doge[[29]] is waiting. I'm bid to the wedding, I'm summon'd to guide To the wedding the maiden—the Doge's young bride."