Hail to thee, hail to thee, Beautiful one; Maiden to match thee, On earth there is none. And there is none to tell How beautiful thou art: Though oft the first Rudel Has made the Princes start, When he has strung his harp and sung The Lily of Provence, Till the high halls have rung With clash of lifted lance Vowed to the young Christine of France. Ah, true that he might paint The blooming of thy cheek. The blue vein's tender streak On marble temple faint; Lips in whose repose Ruby weddeth rose. Lips that parted show Ambushed pearl below: Or he may catch the subtle glow Of smiles as rare as sweet, May whisper of the drifted snow Where throat and bosom meet. And of the dark brown braids that flow So grandly to thy feet. Ah, true that he may sing Thy wondrous mien. {174} Stately as befits a queen, Yet light and lithe and all awing As becometh Queen of air Who glideth unstepping everywhere. And he might number e'en The charms that haunt the drapery-- Charms that, ever changing, cluster Round thy milk-white mantle's lustre,-- Maiden mantle that is part of thee. Maiden mantle that doth circle thee With the snows of virgin grace; Halo-like around thee wreathing, Spirit-like about thee breathing The glory of thy face. But these dark eyes, Christine? Peace, poet, peace, Cease, minstrel, cease! But these dear eyes, Christine? Mute, O mute Be voice and lute! O dear dark eyes that seem to dwell With holiest things invisible, Who may read your oracle? Earnest eyes that seem to rove Empyrean heights above, Yet aglow with human love. Who may speak your spell? Dear dark eyes that beam and bless, In whose luminous caress Nature weareth bridal dress,-- Eyes of voiceless Prophetess, Your meanings who may tell! O there is none! Peace, poet, peace. Cease, minstrel, cease, For there is none! O eyes of fire without desire, O stars that lead the sun! But minstrel cease, Peace, poet, peace. Tame Troubadour be still; Voice and lute Alike be mute, It passeth all your skill! Sooth thou art fair, O ladye dear. Yet one may see The shadow of the east in thee; {175}