Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/340

326 To hold discourse. In God s name, come with me.

What coupled staring fools were they that passed ? They seemed to scare thee. Why, boy, face them out. I am the shadow of the Spagnoletto, Else had I brooked no gaze so insolent. Well, I will go with thee. But, hark thee, lad ; A word first in thine ear. T is a grim secret ; Whisper it not in Naples ; I but tell thee, Lest thou should fancy I had lost my wits. My daughter hath deserted me hath fled From Naples with a bastard. Thou hast seen her, Maria-Rosa thou must remember her ; She, whom I painted as Madonna once. She had fair hair and Spanish eyes. When was it? I came forth thinking I might meet with her And find all this a dream a foolish thought ! I am very weary. ( Yawning.) I have walked and walked For hours. How far, sir, stand we from the Strada Nardo ? I live there, nigh Saint Francis church.

Why, ’t is hard by ; a stone s throw from this square.