Freston
137
The song-bird wishes, ere she spreads her wing?
Speak! Let me know the joy in store for me,
When thou hast said what I may do for thee."
Speak! Let me know the joy in store for me,
When thou hast said what I may do for thee."
"Lady, you offer favors like a queen;
And like a queen, I answer you as fair;—
In all your broad possessions, you hold naught
Can add more lustre to the crown I wear.
'Italia's queen,' they call you,—'Star of Rome,'—
To do you homage, courtiers bow the knee;—
My realm is greater,—I am 'queen of Song.'
The King of kings gave this dear crown to me.
To powers of earth, allegiance give I none;
But hearts whose chords vibrate at touch of mine
Are still my subjects, bend the knee to me,—
Swear me allegiance,—and I here claim thine."
And like a queen, I answer you as fair;—
In all your broad possessions, you hold naught
Can add more lustre to the crown I wear.
'Italia's queen,' they call you,—'Star of Rome,'—
To do you homage, courtiers bow the knee;—
My realm is greater,—I am 'queen of Song.'
The King of kings gave this dear crown to me.
To powers of earth, allegiance give I none;
But hearts whose chords vibrate at touch of mine
Are still my subjects, bend the knee to me,—
Swear me allegiance,—and I here claim thine."
Blue eyes met black, in steadfast look, and proud;—
The blue eyes falter, and the head is bowed,—
Bowed—lower still,—and there, for all to see,
The lady Corinne humbly bends the knee.
La Fornarina laid her hand, so fair,
Upon the lady Corinne's golden hair;
And in a voice, where pow'r and sweetness blend,—
With just a little quiver at the end,—
She speaks, as one who soon goes far away,
The blue eyes falter, and the head is bowed,—
Bowed—lower still,—and there, for all to see,
The lady Corinne humbly bends the knee.
La Fornarina laid her hand, so fair,
Upon the lady Corinne's golden hair;
And in a voice, where pow'r and sweetness blend,—
With just a little quiver at the end,—
She speaks, as one who soon goes far away,
