Poems (Shore)/The Two Pages in Love
THE TWO PAGES IN LOVE
1st Page. She patted yesterday Almanzor's neck,
And praised his beauty to me.
2nd Page. Nay, but think—
This morning, as I sang, she listened to me,
Bade me to sing again, and once, oh once,
I could just hear her voice come warbling in—
Three precious notes—with mine.
1st Page. I'd give, oh not
Almanzor, but whate'er I own, besides,
That most I prize, but to know how to sing.
I'll tell you: I could die to win my knighthood
Before her eyes in battle; I could live
Just long enough to see a single tear
Drop from her eyes. She is so kind and tender,
I think she would grieve for me.
2nd PageOh, but I
Could dream a happier death: I'd watch the moment,
Would fling myself before her, kiss her hand,
And, ere she had time to chide, feel at my heart
The dagger of Don Pedro; see her stand
Pleading for me—then perish, slain by love.
And praised his beauty to me.
2nd Page. Nay, but think—
This morning, as I sang, she listened to me,
Bade me to sing again, and once, oh once,
I could just hear her voice come warbling in—
Three precious notes—with mine.
1st Page. I'd give, oh not
Almanzor, but whate'er I own, besides,
That most I prize, but to know how to sing.
I'll tell you: I could die to win my knighthood
Before her eyes in battle; I could live
Just long enough to see a single tear
Drop from her eyes. She is so kind and tender,
I think she would grieve for me.
2nd PageOh, but I
Could dream a happier death: I'd watch the moment,
Would fling myself before her, kiss her hand,
And, ere she had time to chide, feel at my heart
The dagger of Don Pedro; see her stand
Pleading for me—then perish, slain by love.