La Rêverie

Far from an Iris — fickle maid,
A lord had robbed me of the jade —
One soft spring-day, beneath the trees,
My heart was dreaming at its ease.
Bereft of one so lax in duty,
It dreamed it saw another beauty,
Who flew my sorrow to allay —
Come, charmer, come — this way, this way!

The fair one wore a tender air —
Tender, though pride withal was there:
And through the copse where I was lying
Methought I heard her gently sighing
A princess was she — in her tone
She breathed but tenderness alone,
Far from the pomp that courts display —
Come, charmer, come — this way, this way!

I listen — she bewails her fate,
Bowed down by grandeur's weary weight;
Aside all hesitation throwing,
I tell her how my passion's glowing
Tears fill my eyes, amazed, delighted,
To find so many charms united
With such attire, so rich, so gay
Come, charmer, come — this way, this way!

To marvels that seem so divine
My flattered senses I resign,
When all at once, with ravished ear,
Accents most musical I hear.
" Ah! if 'tis thou my fair princess,
With roses of thy tenderness,
Plant thou my pathway day by day! "
Come, charmer, come — this way, this way!

But no — my gaze a lassie met,
Of neighboring village the coquette,
Who seemed, in fustian bodice decked,
My suit unlikely to reject
So fair the lassie is to see,
So short her petticoat — ah, me!
Grandeur, to you I've nought to say
Come, charmer, come — this way, this way.