And lifting him with care into the cave, To kindle fire, and as the new flames gave Light to the rocks that roof'd them, which the sun Her brow was overhung with coins of gold, They nearly reach'd her heel; and in her air Her hair, I said, was auburn; but her eyes Were black as death, their lashes the same hue, Ne'er with such force the swiftest arrow flew : Her brow was white and low, her cheek's pure dye (A race of mere impostors, when all's doneI've seen much finer women, ripe and real, Than all the nonsense of their stone ideal.) I'll tell you why I say so, for 'tis just I ne'er saw justice done, and yet she was Yield to stern Time and Nature's wrinkling laws, They will destroy a face which mortal thought Ne'er compass'd, nor less mortal chisel wrought. And such was she, the lady of the cave: Her dress was very different from the Spanish, Simpler, and yet of colours not so grave; For, as you know, the Spanish women banish Bright hues when out of doors, and yet, while wave Around them (what I hope will never vanish) The basquina and the mantilla, they Seem at the same time mystical and gay. But with our damsel this was not the case: Flow'd in her veil, and many a precious stone Flash'd on her little hand; but what was shocking, Her small snow feet had slippers, but no stocking. The other female's dress was not unlike, But of inferior materials; she Had not so many ornaments to strike, Her hair had silver only, bound to be Her dowry; and her veil, in form alike, Was coarser; and her air, though firm, less free; Her hair was thicker, but less long; her eyes As black, but quicker, and of smaller size. HAIDEE WANDERING WITH JUAN. It was the cooling hour, just when the rounded With one star sparkling through it like an eye. Worked by the storms, yet worked as it were planned, They looked up to the sky, whose floating glow Whence the broad moon rose circling into sight; They heard the waves splash, and the wind so low, And saw each other's dark eyes darting light Into each other and, beholding this, Their lips drew near, and clung into a kiss. HAIDEE'S DREAM. Juan and Haidee gazed upon each other With swimming looks of speechless tenderness, Which mixed all feelings, friend, child, lover, brother, All that the best can mingle and express When two pure hearts are pour'd in one another, E But almost sanctify the sweet excess By the immortal wish and power to bless. Mix'd in each other's arms, and heart in heart, Why did they not then die ?—they had lived too long Years could but bring them cruel things or wrong, They should have lived together deep in woods, Called social, where all vice and hatred are; Now pillow'd cheek to cheek, in loving sleep, A gentle slumber, but it was not deep, For ever and anon a something shook Juan, and shuddering o'er his frame would creep; Stirred with her dream as rose-leaves with the air: Or as the stirring of a deep clear stream Within an Alpine hollow, when the wind Walks over it, was she shaken by the dream, The mystical usurper of the mindO'erpowering us to be whate'er may seem Good to the soul which we no more can bind; Strange state of being! (for 'tis still to be) Until she sobbed for breath, and soon they were O'er the sharp shingles with her bleeding feet, The dream changed; in a cave she stood, its walls [lurk; Where waves might wash, and seals might breed and Her hair was dripping, and the very balls Of her black eyes seem'd turn'd to tears, and murk The sharp rocks look'd below each drop they caught, Which froze to marble as it fell, she thought. And wet, and cold, and lifeless at her feet, Pale as the foam that frothed on his dead brow, Which she essay'd in vain to clear, (how sweet Were once her cares, how idle seem'd they now!) Lay Juan, nor could aught renew the beat Of his quench'd heart; and the sea dirges low |