Page:Poems Allen.djvu/148

BELLA.

HERE the Northern pine-trees sing,
And the crystal torrents spring,
  In a warm and dainty nest,
  Dwells the maid that I love best,—
Born, as is the Alpine rose,
Blooming in the midst of snows.
  Yet, so much she seems to me
  Like a dream of Italy,—
Beautiful, serene, and calm,
Opulent with bloom and balm,—
  That my heart leaps up to greet her,
  Vita della mia vita!

Ah, carina! in thine eyes
What miraculous meaning lies!
  Ah, what depths of rare romance
  Charm me in their eloquent glance,—
Full of wonderful witcheries,
Shadowy, mournful, tender eyes,—
  Yet their mellow midnight seems
  Softly starred with silver dreams;