"TO CONCHA MARTINEZ.
"Above the white foam and the azure sea
A gleaming shell doth float,
And the bright sun that glows resplendently
Kisseth the fairy boat.
The world it glads with beauty doth not know
The treasure in its breast,—
The precious pearl, that, radiant as the snow,
Within its heart doth rest.
Sweet Concha! on life's sea thy beauty rides,
And man's applause doth win;
But only we who love thee know it hides
The fair white soul within."
"TO MARIA AMELIA ROMO.
"Earth was a bower of roses rare and pale,
And heaven a starry sea;
Through the soft shadow sang the nightingale
His wondrous melody.
'Twas springtime, and the dewy dawn was wet,
When, from its dreaming stirred.
The flower's soul, in sweetness rising, met
The bright soul of the bird;
And from that kiss thy loveliness was born.
Fair shrine that doth enclose
The song-bird's voice, the brightness of the morn,
The perfume of the rose."
