Page:The Improvisatrice.pdf/179

Rh

And by the tomb a choir of girls, With measured steps and mournful notes, And snow-white robes, while on the air, Unbound their wreaths, each dark curl floats, Paced round and sang to her who slept Calm, while their young eyes o'er her wept. And she, that loveliest one, is here, The morning's radiant Bayadere: A darker light in her dark eyes,— For tears are there,—a paler brow Changed but to charm the morning's smile, Less sparkling, but more touching now. And first her sweet lip prest the flute, A nightingale waked by the rose, And when that honey breath was mute, Was heard her low song's plaintive close,