That forehead serene,

Where love sits confest,
Adorn with the zephyrs

And balm of the East.

Adorn that bright temple

With incense of flowers

And crown with thy garland

Passion like ours.

Romancero de Pedro Arias Perez, 1659, p. 190.

THE GIPSY'S BLESSING.

66

In

grace of her own.

I look'd on Jacinta,

Her footsteps were light,

Her black eyes were sparkling-
Those black eyes so bright.
A gipsy address'd her,

Both cheerful and young;
Her smile was attractive,

And graceful her tongue:
Charming, lovely countenance,
A welcome is thine-

Lovely, charming countenance,

Take this welcome of mine;

And let the poor gipsy

Thy gentleness prove.

Thy bright eyes are sparkling,

Fair maiden! with love.

Three Johns and one Pedro
Are pining for thee:

Twice thou shalt be wedded,

And twice happily."
She look'd on her jewels,

She shook with affright,

She fear'd lest their lustre
Should avarice invite,

And with tremulous mandate

She bid her begone:

But the resolute gipsy

Still smiled and talk'd on.

"Charming, lovely countenance,

A welcome is thine.

"Cheeks fair as roses,

Turn not away;

Let those bright eye-balls

No anger betray."

The bride gave her silver :

The gipsy then took
Her white hand of ivory—
There fixing her look,
She cross'd it, and utter'd-

"Two sons shall be thine,

And one shall sing to thee
The mass all divine ;
And the other a captain
Of valour shall be,

Beloved by all maidens,
And worthy of thee.

And thou shalt be happy;
Disease may annoy―
It twice shall annoy thee-
But shall not destroy.
Long life shall await thee-
Long life and strong health-
And fortune shall give thee
Her torrents of wealth."

O FATHER FRIAR!

"Siempre Fray Carrillo estas."

O FATHER friar! who can tell

How much thou dost torment us here? Would I could in thy convent dwell,

For thou art never there!

M.S. Böhl, N. 611.