XIX.

My First to-night in young Haidee
Is so surpassing fair,

That though my Second precious be
It shows all faded there;

And let my Whole be never twined
To shame those beaming charms,
A richer one she cannot find

(1826.)

Than fond Affection's arms.

XX.

He who can make my First to roll
When not a breath is blowing,
May very slightly turn my Whole
To set a mountain going:

He who can curb my Second's will
When she's inclined for roving,

May turn my Whole more slightly still
To cure the moon of moving!

VOL. II.-18

XXI.

ACROSS my First, with flash and roar,
The stately vessel glides alone;
And silent on the crowded shore
There kneels an aged crone,
Watching my Second's parting smile
As he looks farewell to his native isle.

My Whole comes back to other eyes

With beauteous change of fruits and flowers; But black to her are those bright skies,

And sad those joyous bowers;

Alas! my First is dark and deep,

And my Second cannot hear her weep!

XXII.

SIR EUSTACE goes to the far Crusade
In radiant armor drest;

And my First is graven on his blade,
And broidered on his breast.

And a flush is on his cheek and brow,
And a fever in his blood,

As he stands upon my Second now,
And gazes on the flood.

Away, away!—the canvas drives
Like a sea-bird's rustling wing;

My Whole hath a score of Moslem lives
Upon its twanging string.

XXIII.

My First came forth in booted state,
For far Valencia bound;

And smiled to feel my Second's weight,
And hear its creaking sound.

"And here's a jailer sweet," quoth he,
"You cannot bribe or cozen;

To keep one ward in custody
Wise men will forge a dozen."

But daybreak saw a lady ride
My Whole across the plain,
With a handsome cavalier beside,
To hold her bridle-rein:

And "Blessing on the bonds," quoth he, "Which wrinkled age imposes,

If woman must your prisoner be,
Your chain should be of roses."