In this manner Donna Clara Thought, and on the ground then looked she; When she raised her eyes, the handsome Unknown Knight was standing by her. Pressing hands with loving whispers Wander they beneath the moonlight, And the zephyr gently woos them, Wondrously the roses greet them. Wondrously the roses greet them, Like love’s messengers all glowing.-- “But, my loved one, prythee tell me “Why so suddenly thou redden’st?” “’Twas the flies that stung me, dearest, “And the flies are, all the summer, “Quite as much detested by me “As the long-nosed Jewish fellows.” “Never mind the flies and Jews, dear,” Said the Knight, with fond caresses. From the almond-trees are falling Thousand white and fleecy blossoms. Thousand white and fleecy blossoms Their sweet fragrance shed around them. “But, my loved one, prythee tell me “Is thy heart devoted to me?” “Yes, I truly love thee, dearest, “And I swear it by the Saviour “Whom the God-detested Jews erst “Wickedly and vilely murder’d.” “Never mind the Jews and Saviour,” Said the Knight, with fond caresses. In the distance snow-white lilies Dreamily, light-bathed, are bending. Bathed in light the snow-white lilies Gaze upon the stars above them: “But, my loved one, prythee tell me “Hast thou not a false oath taken?” “Falsehood is not in me, dearest, “Since within my breast there flows not “E’en one single drop of Moor’s blood, “Or of dirty Jew’s blood either.” “Never mind the Moors and Jews, dear,” Said the Knight, with fond caresses; And he to a myrtle bower Leads the fair Alcalde’s daughter. With the nets of love so tender, He hath secretly enclosed her! Short their words and long their kisses, And their hearts are overflowing. Like a wedding-song all-melting Sings the nightingale, the dear one; Glowworms on the ground are moving, As if in the torch-dance circling. Silence reigns within the bower, Nought is heard except the stealthy Whispers of the cunning myrtles, And the breathing of the flowerets. But soon kettle-drums and trumpets Echo from the lofty castle, And, awakening, Clara quickly From the Knight’s arm frees her person. “Hark, they’re calling me, my dearest, Yet before we part, thou need’st must Thy dear name to me discover Which thou hast so long concealèd.” And the Knight, with radiant smiling, Kiss’d the fingers of his Donna, Kiss’d her lips and kiss’d her forehead, And at last these words he uttered: “I, Señora, I, your loved one, Am the son of the much honour’d Great and learned scribe, the Rabbi Israel of Saragossa.” ALMANSOR. 1. In fair Cordova’s cathedral, Stand the columns, thirteen hundred,-- Thirteen hundred giant-columns Bear the mighty dome in safety.