Freston
135
Beside Corinne, his fair, and promised bride;—
The favored niece of the great Cardinal,—
A queen of power, who loves the artist well.
The lady Corinne keenly marks the play
Of features, that she dreamed not, till to-day,
Could hold so much emotion; and her eyes
Grow dark and deep with agonized surprise.
The favored niece of the great Cardinal,—
A queen of power, who loves the artist well.
The lady Corinne keenly marks the play
Of features, that she dreamed not, till to-day,
Could hold so much emotion; and her eyes
Grow dark and deep with agonized surprise.
"Raphael, look up; what is this maid to thee?
Nay,—touch me not, 'till thou hast answered me!"
"Grieve not, sweetheart, if I seem strange and cold,—
I am the traitor of the tale she told."
"Traitor, perhaps, but never in thy heart!
Love did but slumber there;—nay, do not start!
Not for one moment did it wake for me;
And so—in spite of pain—I set thee free!
The foolish people call me 'Star of Rome;'—
Of all life's gifts I prized thy heart alone!
Go to thy love; nor let one thought of me
Shadow thy joy. Raphaello, thou art free."
Nay,—touch me not, 'till thou hast answered me!"
"Grieve not, sweetheart, if I seem strange and cold,—
I am the traitor of the tale she told."
"Traitor, perhaps, but never in thy heart!
Love did but slumber there;—nay, do not start!
Not for one moment did it wake for me;
And so—in spite of pain—I set thee free!
The foolish people call me 'Star of Rome;'—
Of all life's gifts I prized thy heart alone!
Go to thy love; nor let one thought of me
Shadow thy joy. Raphaello, thou art free."
The little Nina seeks her mistress' side
To whisper, with a smile of girlish pride,
How many great ones wait for just one word
With her Signora. "May they not be heard?
And there is one who swears on bended knee,—
To whisper, with a smile of girlish pride,
How many great ones wait for just one word
With her Signora. "May they not be heard?
And there is one who swears on bended knee,—
