Dom Duardos and Flerida
’T was in the month of April,
The day before May day,
When roses red, and lilies white,
Are blooming bright and gay.
The night was calm and cloudless,
With golden stars arrayed,
The Infanta, fair Flerida,
In her wide garden strayed.
“God guard you, tender flowers,
Great joy you’ve given me;
I go to a strange land;
Such is my fate’s decree.
“If my father seeks me,
He who loves me well;
Tell him that love has drawn me
Within its fatal spell.
“Tell him that fateful love
Has seized me in its hold;
I know not where I go,
And none to me has told.”
Then Dom Duardos spoke:
“Oh, weep not so, my dear,
In the great realm of England
Are fairer things than here.
“There are more limpid streams,
And gardens yet more fair.
A thousand flowers blooming,
And scenting all the air.
“Three hundred maids shall serve,
And all of noble strain,
And palaces of silver,
Where you shall nobly reign.
“With emeralds of green,
And finest Turkish gold,
Upon the shining walls
The story shall be told
“How, to do you honor,
I fought Primaleon.
I did not fear his strength,
When your bright glances shone.”
When fair Flerida heard,
She wiped her tears away.
And hand in hand they went