THE STATUE AND THE BUST.
157
They felt by its beats her heart expand—
As one at each ear and both in a breath
Whispered, "The Great-Duke Ferdinand."
As one at each ear and both in a breath
Whispered, "The Great-Duke Ferdinand."
That selfsame instant, underneath,
The Duke rode past in his idle way,
Empty and fine like a swordless sheath.
The Duke rode past in his idle way,
Empty and fine like a swordless sheath.
Gay he rode, with a friend as gay,
Till he threw his head back—"Who is she?"
—"A Bride the Riccardi brings home to-day."
Till he threw his head back—"Who is she?"
—"A Bride the Riccardi brings home to-day."
Hair in heaps laid heavily
Over a pale brow spirit-pure—
Carved like the heart of the coal-black tree,
Over a pale brow spirit-pure—
Carved like the heart of the coal-black tree,
Crisped like a war-steed's encolure—
Which vainly sought to dissemble her eyes
Of the blackest black our eyes endure.
Which vainly sought to dissemble her eyes
Of the blackest black our eyes endure.
