Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/32

Rh And as along her bosom steal

In lengthened flow her raven tresses,

You'd swear each clustering lock could feel,

And curled to give her neck caresses.

3.

Our English maids are long to woo,

And frigid even in possession;

And if their charms be fair to view,

Their lips are slow at Love's confession;

But, born beneath a brighter sun,

For love ordained the Spanish maid is,

And who,—when fondly, fairly won,—

Enchants you like the Girl of Cadiz?

4.

The Spanish maid is no coquette,

Nor joys to see a lover tremble

And if she love, or if she hate,

Alike she knows not to dissemble.

Her heart can ne'er be bought or sold—

Howe'er it beats, it beats sincerely;

And, though it will not bend to gold,

'Twill love you long and love you dearly.

5.

The Spanish girl that meets your love

Ne'er taunts you with a mock denial,

For every thought is bent to prove

Her passion in the hour of trial.

Variants Notes