Now deeply, softly flows along,

Like ancient minstrel's warbling song;

Then slowly, darkly, thoughtfully,

Loses itself in the mighty sea.

The sky is clear, the stars are bright,
The moon reposes on her light;

On many a budding, fairy blossom,

Are glittering evening's dewy tears, Like sparkling gems on Beauty's bosom, When she in festal garb appears.

The summer flowers, in freshest bloom,
Like modest virgins smiling there,

Are breathing all around perfume
Upon the mute enamored air;

The citron-trees along the strand,
With golden fruitage brightly teem;

The lilies in the water stand,

Watching their shadows in the stream,

And ring the while their tiny bells,

As round their feet the billow swells.

II.

AND, there beneath a cypress tree,

The beautiful young FLORENCE stands,

In silence watching wistfully

The waves that wash the sparkling sands: Her velvet robe, deep wrought with gold, Falling in many a graceful fold;

Her sable tresses flowing back

Beneath a cap of velvet black;

A diamond on her high brow gleaming,
A brilliant on her bosom beaming,

Give her so stately, rich a mein,

That she might vie with Egypt's queen,

When sailing on the Cydnus she

Went forth to meet Mark Antony.

III.

THE Moon is past her zenith now,
The dew is heavy on each bough,
And ill at ease the lady seems;

Oft up and down the lawn she paces,
Then sudden starts as one that dreams,

Or some unwelcome thought retraces,
And stills her heart, and leans her ear
The long expected oar to hear;—
But all is silent as the grave,

Nor boat, nor oar disturbs the wave,

To intimate her lover near,

Or soothe her agonizing fear.

With both white hands she clasps her brow,

As hope were quenched forever now,

And peace were lost beyond recall

""Tis so! 'tis so!-I see it all!

Ere this I've feared it might be so

False LEON! canst thou strike such blow?

I had a dream-a troubled dream

In which I saw thy dark eyes beam
Upon a fair Sicilian Maid,

In her white nuptial robes arrayed;

I saw her at the altar stand—

I saw thee take her lily hand,

And joyous hailed the morning light
Which broke the vision of that night!

Yet oft to me it would return,

And overwhelm my soul in wo;
But then the vision I would spurn,—
For oh! I could not deem it so!
But ere the dawning of the morrow
"Twill prove an omen of my sorrow.―

My faithful page, come hither, come!
This long delay may seal our doom;

Mount thee upon the fleetest steed,

And with the winged lightning's speed,
To Count GUDONI's castle go,

And what betideth let me know.".

She said, and in her wildered state,
Unnoticed passed the castle gate,
And by the watchful mastiffs' lairs,
Tripped lightly o'er the marble stairs,
Flew through the corridor's dim gloom,
And safely reached her distant room.
Upon the silken couch she fell,

And strove her torturing doubts to quell ;

But easier 'tis the waves to still

That roll amid the stormy ocean,

Than subjugate unto the will

The troubled bosom's wild commotion ;

Sprung up and flung aside her hood

Paced rapidly across the floor

Then stopped-before her mirror stood, And while she scanned her beauty o'er,

By dress so richly now displayed,

Revenge and Pride called to her aid.

With hasty step and firm intent,

Unto a secret casket went,

A little packet thence withdrew—

Love's tokens dear, whilst yet deemed trueThe foldings which its contents hid Quickly with trembling hand undid;

Over each missive glanced her eye,

Then for another dashed it by ;

And when she recognized each line
That erst to her appeared divine,—
Learned well how little such are worth,
She laid them all upon the hearth;-
The miniature of LEON put

Upon the medley fated pyre;

Stamped it with her indignant foot

And strength of slighted love's keen ire. Gold chains, and gems, and costly pearl, The locket with his ebon curl;

Stript from her hand a diamond ring,
With each memento that might bring
A tender thought, or transient scene
Of one who had so faithless been;
Then to the pile the torch applied,

And round them while the swift flames glide,
Like lightning ere the thunders roll,

Effacing casket, gem, and scroll,

Each chain becomes a livid thread;

With low, unfaltering voice she said—