FOR THE PICTURE "DANTE AND BEATRICE IN FLORENCE"

[ZaunköniG]

FOR THE PICTURE "DANTE AND
BEATRICE IN FLORENCE"

Lo ! it is she ! how pure she is and chaste !
With what divine discretion do her feet
Move o'er the flags along the quiet street ;
No thoughts are hers to urge unseemly haste,
Her eyelids droop with bluest veins o'erlaced,
And all her being is as fresh and sweet
As a white lily bending now to greet
The dewy breath of spring ; her robes unbraced
Shed fragrance as she goes with virgin pace
Forth on her way ; and in her gracious mien
I see all virtues gathered ; without pride,
But modestly she lifts her tender face,
Where guileless meditations shine serene,
As if already she were heaven's bride.