Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/424

378 Como un vapor, como un humo Que entre los àrboles gira:
 * Ni entrè en aquellos salones

Sin figuràrseme erguida Del fundador la fantasma En helada sangre tinta;
 * Ni en vestibulo oscuro

El que tiene en la cornisa De los reyes los retratos, El que en colunas estriba,
 * Al que adornan azulejos

Abajo, y esmalte arriba El que muestra en cada muro Un rico balcon, y encima
 * El hondo arteson dorado

Que lo corona y atrista, Sin ver en tierra un cadaver. Aun en las losas se mira Una tenaz mancha oscura Ni las edades limpian! Sangre! sangre! oh, cielos, cuantos Sin saber que lo es, la pisan!

This romance was originally printed with the 'Moro Esposito,' Paris 1834, vol. ii. p. 451. It was subsequently included among the 'Romances Historicos,' Madrid 1841, p. 19. The Alcazar of Seville has been described by so many travellers that it is unnecessary to add to their accounts of it, or to the graphic details of the romance. The stain on the floor may remind the reader of the legends of Holy rood and the Alhambra, as well as of other places. 40. Page. "Darting round fierce looks," &c.

This description of anger, as again at p. 241, seems a favourite one with the Duke, as well as other poets; thus Virgil—

41. Page. "The crackling of his arms and knees."

From the peculiarity of this formation, the king was recognized