English Verse Volume 3 - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ... mountain: "Best of news to you I bring,--Though the vineyard is well guarded, I have enter'd Senhor King! 'The owner is in other countries, When comes back I can not say; The gate is old, the yielding portress To gold key gave ready way. 'To a wonder that key served me: All was soon adjusted, so That this eve at hour of midnight With you I to the vintage go." 'Worth a kingdom, my Mordomo! Great reward I'll make to thee: This eve then, at the hour of midnight, Rich grapes shall be eat by me!" Fresh green vine-leaves hath the vineyard, More grapes than I yet did meet: Beautiful and so ripe are they, They are saying--Come and eat! In the dead o' the midnight hour Went the Mordomo, went the King; Of doubloons to the portress given 'Tis not mine the account to sing. 'Mordomo! stay you at the portal, The portal where I enter in; Let not watch-dogs with me grapple Whilst the grapes I am gathering!" The portress now to meet his wishing 'Change for what he gave doth bring: At the chamber of the Countess Lo there entereth the King. She bore a lamp both rich and massive, It was of silver I could see,--Only of silver or of gold is In the house of Valderey. Fresh the green leaves are in the vineyard, And the grapes are ripe and sweet, Beautiful, so warmly colour'd: Ah! when of them shall I eat? All in the chamber of the Countess Gold with silver suited well: It was the heaven of that angel,--No more my poor tongue may tell. Rich silks were there of Millao, The towels were of Courteney; The King, he trembled,--if from terror, Or good faith, I can not say. Green silk curtains hung before him,--Still he ne'er essay'd to raise: The vision bright I may not sing that Daunted thus his baffled gaze. It was a thing so passing lovely, What...