The golden violet, with its tales of romance and chivalry And other poems. By L. E. L. [i.e. Landon] |
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 | The golden violet, with its tales of romance and chivalry |  |
“Now welcome, fair Marguerite, to thee,
Fair flower of Provence minstrelsy.”
Came a lovely lady in place,
Like the twilight star in her pensive grace.
White daisies were wreathed in the dark brown shade
Of her tresses, parted in simple braid:
Her long eyelash was the shadow of night,
And the eye beneath was the morning bright;
For its colour was that of the diamond dew
Which hath caught from the glancing light its hue:
Her cheek was pale, for its blush soon pass'd,—
Loveliest tints are not those which last;
Then again it redden'd, again was gone,
Like a rainbow and rose in unison:
Her smile was sad, as if nature meant
Those lips to live, in their own content;
But Fate pass'd o'er them her stern decree,
And taught them what suffering and sorrow might be:
And sang she in sweet but mournful tone,
As her heart had the misery it painted known.
Fair flower of Provence minstrelsy.”
Came a lovely lady in place,
Like the twilight star in her pensive grace.
White daisies were wreathed in the dark brown shade
Of her tresses, parted in simple braid:
Her long eyelash was the shadow of night,
And the eye beneath was the morning bright;
For its colour was that of the diamond dew
Which hath caught from the glancing light its hue:
106
Loveliest tints are not those which last;
Then again it redden'd, again was gone,
Like a rainbow and rose in unison:
Her smile was sad, as if nature meant
Those lips to live, in their own content;
But Fate pass'd o'er them her stern decree,
And taught them what suffering and sorrow might be:
And sang she in sweet but mournful tone,
As her heart had the misery it painted known.
| The golden violet, with its tales of romance and chivalry | |