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170  Which may serve as an emblem of a young girl Who has flashed Across these later days of my life. Is she a jasmine, blossom sister of the violet, And, like it, hiding From profane gaze of the vulgar? Is she Modesty, insensible to the allurements of flattery? Is she the spirit of cheerfulness? Is she angel of the fireside? Is she sunshine? Is she perfume? Alas, I know not! In vain I question my soul; Neither in one image Nor in all. Can I find the counterpart of Maria Alfaro."

I close with an occasional stanza or two from longer poems:—

 If, mid the shades on high. They should meet, nor know her name, 'Beatrice!' would Dante exclaim, 'Leonora!' would Tasso sigh."

 Many a beautiful brown girl, splendid, With eyes of the night and morning blended, Springs from the soil of Vera Cruz;