HAIDÉE AGAIN. (DON JUAN, Canto iii. Stanzas 70-75.) Of all the dresses I select Haidée's : She wore two jelicks-one was of pale yellow; Of azure, pink, and white was her chemise 'Neath which her breast heaved like a little billow; With buttons form'd of pearls as large as peas, All gold and crimson shone her jelick's fellow, And the striped white gauze baracan that bound her, Like fleecy clouds about the moon flow'd round her. One large gold bracelet clasp'd each lovely arm, Lockless-so pliable from the pure gold That the hand stretch'd and shut it without harm, Around, as princess of her father's land, A like gold bar above her instep roll'd Announced her rank; twelve rings were on her hand; Her hair was starr'd with gems; her veil's fine fold Below her breast was fasten'd with a band Of lavish pearls, whose worth could scarce be told; Her orange silk full Turkish trousers furl'd About the prettiest ankle in the world. Her hair's long auburn waves down to her heel Flow'd like an Alpine torrent which the sun Dyes with his morning light,—and would conceal Her person if allow'd at large to run, And still they seem resentfully to feel The silken fillet's curb, and sought to shun Their bonds whene'er some Zephyr caught began To offer his young pinion as her fan. Round her she made an atmosphere of life, Her eyelashes, though dark as night, were tinged Her nails were touch'd with henna; but again N AURORA RABY. (DON JUAN, Canto xv. Stanzas 43-47.) AND then there was-but why should I go on, Unless the ladies should go off?-there was Indeed a certain fair and fairy one, Of the best class, and better than her class,— Aurora Raby, a young star who shone O'er life, too sweet an image for such glass, Rich, noble, but an orphan: left an only Child to the care of guardians good and kind; But still her aspect had an air so lonely! Blood is not water; and where shall we find Feelings of youth like those which overthrown lie By death, when we are left, alas! behind, To feel, in friendless palaces, a home Is wanting, and our best ties in the tomb? Early in years, and yet more infantine In figure, she had something of sublime In eyes which sadly shone, as seraphs' shine. All youth—but with an aspect beyond time; Radiant and grave-as pitying man's decline; Mournful-but mournful of another's crime, She look'd as if she sate by Eden's door, And grieved for those who could return no more. She was a Catholic, too, sincere, austere, As far as her own gentle heart allow'd, And deem'd that fallen worship far more dear Perhaps because 'twas fall'n: her sires were proud Of deeds and days when they had fill'd the ear Of nations, and had never bent or bow'd To novel power; and as she was the last, She held their old faith and old feelings fast. She gazed upon a world she scarcely knew, And kept her heart serene within its zone. Apart from the surrounding world, and strong |