Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/399

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A GLANCE AT MEXICAN LITERATURE.
393

by pressed pansies ("for thought "), an invariable custom with the Mexicans; also a note, which I append as characteristic of the people as well as of the writer's own individuality:

Señorita: Please accept this little poem as a slight appreciation of the very pleasant afternoon we passed together in Tacubaya, in which you won my regard and affection by the love you seem to bear my country and its people.

Pray receive the sincere regard of one who will never forget you.

B. S. M.,

A. Isidra de Jesus Castro.

Adios to Fanny!


"One afternoon in April
I winged my way to see
A friend in Tacubaya.
Judge of my agreeable surprise
Upon finding there two beauteous nymphs—
Two flowers of America's soil—
And as I was ever an enthusiastic admirer of beauty,
I saluted them with pleasure.
Later on, as the sun was sinking to rest.
Gently touching and tingeing with its golden radiance
The soft fleecy clouds.
One of the nymphs, as she bade us farewell,
Said she was about returning to her native land.
Then methought it were well
To give the lovely peri a token,
And sent to her this flower, called heart's-ease.
This floral offering expresses all
I fain would tell her.
Nymph of gentle presence, when far away.
Think of Mexico, and return some day.
And when on the wings of the breeze
Thou sendest a message to us.
Always remember the sublime beauties
Of my idolized country.