I watch divine Apollo stand, Herdsman to acarus-riddled sheep, The Muses Nine, a haggard band, Upon a faded Pindus weep;
While Solitude in scanty gown Traces "Desertion" in the dust That through the air she sifteth down Upon a marble stand august.
And now, among forgotten things, I find, like sleepers manifold, Pastels bedimmed, dark picturings, Young beauties, and the friends of old.
My faltering fingers lift a crape,-- And lo, my love with look and lure! With puffing skirts and prisoned shape! Cidalise _à la_ Pompadour!
A tender, blossoming rose she feels Against her ribboned bodice pressed, Whose lace half hides and half reveals A snowy, azure-veinèd breast.
Within her eyes gleam sparkles lush, As on the rime-kissed, deadened leaves. Upon her cheek a purple flush-- Death's own cosmetic hue!--deceives.
She startles as I come before, And fixeth soft on me her eyes, Reproachfully forevermore, Yet with a charm and witching wise.
Life bore me from thee at its will, Yet on my heart thy name is laid, Thou dead delight, that lingereth still, Bedizened for the masquerade!
Envious of Art, fair Nature wrought To overpass Murillo's fame,-- From Andalusia here she brought The face that lights the second frame.
By some poetical caprice, Our atmosphere of mist and cloud, With rare exotic charm's increase This other Petra Camara dowed.
Warm orange tones are gilding yet Her lovely skin of roseate hue. Her eyelids fair have lashes jet That beams of sunshine filter through.
There shimmers fine a pearly gleam Between her scarlet lips elate; Her beauty flashes forth supreme-- A bright south summer pomegranate.
Long to the sound of Spain's guitar, I told her praise 'mid song and glass. She came alone one evenstar, And all my room Alhambra was.
Farther I see a robust Fair, With strong and gem-beladen arms. In pearls of price and velvet rare Are set her ivory bosom's charms.
Her ennui is a weary queen's, An adulating court amid. Superb, aloof, her hand she leans Upon a casket's jewelled lid.
Her sensuous lips their crimes confess, As crimson with the blood of hearts. With brutal, mad voluptuousness Her conquering eye a challenge darts.
Here dwells, in lieu of tender grace, Vertiginous allure, whereof A cruel Venus ruled a race, Presiding o'er malignant love.