ago, Palermo town Kept holiday. A deed of great renown, A high revenge, had freed it from the yoke Of hated Frenchmen; and from Calpe’s rock To where the Bosporus caught the earlier sun, ’Twas told that Pedro, King of Aragon, Was welcomed master of all Sicily,— A royal knight, supreme as kings should be In strength and gentleness that make high chivalry.

p. 8

Spain was the favorite home of knightly grace, Where generous men rode steeds of generous race; Both Spanish, yet half Arab; both inspired By mutual spirit, that each motion fired With beauteous response, like minstrelsy Afresh fulfilling fresh expectancy. p. 9So, when Palermo made high festival, The joy of matrons and of maidens all Was the mock terror of the tournament, Where safety, with the glimpse of danger blent, Took exaltation as from epic song, Which greatly tells the pains that to great life belong.

p. 9

And in all eyes King Pedro was the king Of cavaliers; as in a full-gemmed ring The largest ruby, or as that bright star Whose shining shows us where the Hyads are. His the best genet, and he sat it best; His weapon, whether tilting or in rest, Was worthiest watching; and his face, once seen, Gave to the promise of his royal mien Such rich fulfilment as the opened eyes p. 10Of a loved sleeper, or the long-watched rise Of vernal day, whose joy o’er stream and meadow flies.

p. 10

But of the maiden forms that thick enwreathed The broad piazza, and sweet witchery breathed, With innocent faces budding all arow, From balconies and windows high and low, Who was it felt the deep mysterious glow, The impregnation with supernal fire Of young ideal love, transformed desire, Whose passion is but worship of that Best Taught by the many-mingled creed of each young breast?

 

’Twas gentle Lisa, of no noble line, Child of Bernardo, a rich Florentine, Who from his merchant-city hither came To trade in drugs; yet kept an honest fame, p. 11And had the virtue not to try and sell Drugs that had none. He loved his riches well, But loved them chiefly for his Lisa’s sake, Whom with a father’s care he sought to make The bride of some true honorable man,— Of Perdicone (so the rumor ran), Whose birth was higher than his fortunes were, For still your trader likes a mixture fair Of blood that hurries to some higher strain Than reckoning money’s loss and money’s gain. And of such mixture good may surely come: Lord’s scions so may learn to cast a sum, A trader’s grandson bear a 

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