| Share page | Visit Us On FB |
|
* |
||
|
268 ANCIENT PORTUGUESE BALLADS.
" My roof tile of gold and ivory."
" Your gold and iv'ry tiles are not for me."
" My daughters fair, you shall have them all; Two to serve you in your banquet hall; The third and fairest shall be your bride, In love's nest to slumber by your side."
" Princess, your fair daughters count for nought,
A costlier gift is in my thought." " I have nothing more to offer thee ;
No other gift can you ask of me."
" But I only ask, and you can spare
The simple gift of your body fair." " A fouler insult knight ne'er gave.
Haste, vassals, and scourge this loathly knave."
" The wedding ring with diamonds bright, We broke in twain on our bridal night. Where is the half you have kept so dear ? The other half you can see it here."
" How many tears you have made me shed ! How slow the lingering years have fled ! What pains and griefs lie in your debt ! When bliss like this cannot forget."
The ballad of Dom Duardos and Flerida has an antique flavor in its simplicity and indefiniteness, as in its element of imaginative poetry, which would lead to a belief in its ancient origin, dating beyond the acquirement of more accomplished art |
||