The Gondola Glides

The Gondola Glides

The gondola glides,
Like a spirit of night,
O'er the slumbering tides,
In the calm moonlight: -
The star of the north
Shews her golden eye,
But a brighter looks forth
From you lattice on high!

Her taper is out,
And the silver beam
Floats the maiden about,
- Like a beautiful dream! -
And the beat of her heart
Makes her tremble all o'er;
And she lists with a start,
To the dash of the oar.

But the moments are past,
And her fears are at rest,
And her lover at last
Holds her clasp'd to his breast;
And the planet above,
And the quiet blue sea,
Are pledged to his love,
And his constancy.

Her cheek is reclined
On the home of his breast;
And his fingers are twined
'Mid her ringlets - which rest,
In many a fold,
O'er his arm, that is placed
Round the cincture of gold
Which encircles her waist!

He looks to the stars
Which are gemming the blue,
All devoutly he swears
He will ever be true;
Then bends him to hear
The low sound of her sigh,
And kiss the fond tear
From her beautiful eye.

And he watches its flashes,
Which brightly reveal
What the long fringing lashes
Would vainly conceal;
And reads - while he kneels
All his ardour to speak -
Her reply, as it steals
In a blush o'er her cheek!

Till won - by the prayers
Which so softly reprove -
On his bosom, in tears,
She half murmurs her love;
And the stifled confession
Enraptured he sips,
'Mid the breathings of passion,
In dew from her lips.

T.K. Hervey, Esq. (Thomas Kibble Hervey)

1:42, p. 168

1828.01.11