OH! REST MY DUENNA.
I
“Oh, rest, my Duenna, thou'rt weary I see;
Oh, rest, for 'tis my turn to watch over thee!
We've wander'd too long in the heat of the sun,
But now it is night, and thy labour is done;
Thy cushions I'll place, and thy casement I'll close,
And the voice of Sybella shall soothe thy repose.
Oh rest, my Duenna, 'tis time to sleep,
If you fear danger, strict watch I will keep!”
II
The cushions were soft, and the casement was closed,
The lady Duenna soon nodded and dozed;
Sybella, still singing her lullaby strain,
Ran from her, and open'd the casement again.
The slumberer moved when she felt the night air,
In terror Sybella flew back to her chair:
“Oh, rest, my Duenna, 'tis time to sleep,
“If you fear danger, strict watch I will keep!”
III
She saw that she slept, and she stole from her side—
She heard a low signal, and softly replied;
Her lover appeared, and with treacherous care,
The sleeping Duenna they tied to her chair.
She woke in dismay, but she struggled in vain;
They laughingly varied the lullaby strain:
“Oh, wake my Duenna, 'tis wrong to sleep,
“For if you fear danger, strict watch you should keep!”
