Few writers have given the world so many works of a superior order, distinguishable separately for varied excellence, as the Duke de Rivas. He has concentrated in his later productions all the chief merits of a poet, in the choice of his subjects, in the delineation of character and the power of maintaining throughout the interest of the narrative. If he has failed too often in the mechanical execution, in attending to the harmony of verse or poetic expression of the thoughts, these are faults which we may hope will be corrected in subsequent editions, so as to leave him still greater claims on the admiration of his readers. THE DUKE DE RIVAS. THE ALCAZAR OF SEVILLE. I. Magnificent is the Alcazar, For which Seville is renown’d, Delicious are its gardens, With its lofty portals crown’d. With woods all carved elaborate, In a thousand forms about, It raises high its noble front With cornice jutting out; And there in ancient characters A tablet may be seen, Don Pedro built these palaces, The sculptures placed between. But ill beseem in its saloons The modern triflings rear’d, And in its proud courts men without The antique vest or beard. How many a soft and balmy eve, In pleasant converse there, Have I with Seville’s mirthful sons, And Seville’s daughters fair, Traversed those blooming bowers along, On entering which are rude Gigantic shapes in myrtles cut, Of various attitude; And rose-bay trees, in long arcades, With oranges unite, And shady labyrinths form, the which To thefts of love invite; And hidden jets of water spring All sudden from the floor, When trod the painted pebbles laid In rich mosaic o’er, That sprinkle on the stranger there, While shouts of laughter rise, From those who warn’d by former fate Now shun such pleasantries!