Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/284

238 Her royal lover's secret thoughts, Though deepest penetrate, In whom the goodness of her heart The enchantment still excels, That in her beauteous face and form So marvellously dwells, Unhappy victim lives of fears, That ever her attend, Because she loves the king, and sees His course in evil end: She knows that based in blood and grief, And persecution's train, A palace never is secure, No throne can fix'd remain. And she has two young tender girls, Who with another sire, Whatever their lot, might all have gain'd Their hearts could best require; And in Fadrique's worth she sees A stay and partisan. She knows he comes to Seville now, And as from words can scan Her fierce lord's brow dark lowering, In evil hour he came, And to allay suspicions, Or give them higher aim, At length, though with a trembling lip, The silence breaking dared