By letting all your blooming years pass by
Unmated: you will give the world its due

From beauteous maiden and become a matron true."

Then Lisa, wrapt in virgin wonderment
At her ambitious love's complete content,
Which left no further good for her to seek
Than love's obedience, said with accent meek-
'Monsignor, I know well that were it known
To all the world how high my love had flown,
There would be few who would not deem me mad,
Or say my mind the falsest image had

Of my condition and your lofty place.

But heaven has seen that for no moment's space
Have I forgotten you to be the king,
Or me myself to be a lowly thing—
A little lark, enamored of the sky,

That soared to sing, to break its breast, and die.
But, as you better know than I, the heart
In choosing chooseth not its own desert,
But that great merit which attracteth it;
'Tis law, I struggled, but I must submit,
And having seen a worth all worth above,
I loved you, love you, and shall always love.
But that doth mean, my will is ever yours,
Not only when your will my good insures,

But if it wrought me what the world calls harm

Fire, wounds, would wear from your dear will a charm. That you will be my knight is full content,

And for that kiss-I pray, first for the queen's consent."

Her answer, given with such firm gentleness,
Pleased the queen well, and made her hold no less
Of Lisa's merit than the king had held.

And so, all cloudy threats of grief dispelled,
There was betrothal made that very morn
"Twixt Perdicone, youthful, brave, well-born,
And Lisa, whom he loved; she loving well
The lot that from obedience befell.

The queen a rare betrothal ring on each

Bestowed, and other gems, with gracious speech.
And that no joy might lack, the king, who knew
The youth was poor, gave him rich Ceffalù
And Cataletta, large and fruitful lands-

Adding much promise when he joined their hands.
At last he said to Lisa, with an air

Gallant yet noble: "Now we claim our share
From your sweet love, a share which is not small;
For in the sacrament one crumb is all."

Then taking her small face his hands between,
He kissed her on the brow with kiss serene,

Fit seal to that pure vision her young soul had seen.

Sicilians witnessed that King Pedro kept
His royal promise: Perdicone stept
To many honors honorably wou,
Living with Lisa in true union,

Throughout his life the king still took delight
To call himself fair Lisa's faithful knight;
And never wore in field or tournament
A scarf or emblem save by Lisa sent,

Such deeds made subjects loyal in that land;
They joyed that one so worthy to command,
So chivalrous and gentle, had become

The king of Sicily, and filled the room

Of Frenchmen, who abused the Church's trust,

Till, in a righteous vengeance on their lust,

Messina rose, with God, and with the dagger's thrust.

L'ENVOI.

Reader, this story pleased me long ago

In the bright pages of Boccaccio,

And where the author of a good we know,

Let us not fail to pay the grateful thanks we owe.

THERE's no dew left on the daisies and clover,
There's no rain left in heaven:

I've said my

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seven times" over and over,

Seven times one are seven.

I am old, so old, I can write a letter;
My birthday lessons are done,

The lambs play always, they know no better;
They are only one times one.

O moon! in the night I have seen you sailing
And shining so round and low;

You were bright! ah bright! but your light is failing—
You are nothing now but a bow.

You moon, have you done something wrong in heaven
That God has hidden your face?

I hope if you have you will soon be forgiven,
And shine again in your place.

O velvet bee, you're a dusty fellow,
You've powdered your legs with gold!
O brave marsh marybuds, rich and yellow,
Give me your money to hold!