Ballade of Nicolete
All bathed in pearl and amber lightShe rose to fling the lattice wide,And leaned into the fragrant night,Where brown birds sang of summertide;(’Twas Love’s own voice that called and cried)“Ah, Sweet!” she said, “I’ll seek thee yet,Though thorniest pathways should betideThe fair white feet of Nicolete.”
They slept, who would have stayed her flight;(Full fain were they the maid had died!)She dropped adown her prison’s heightOn strands of linen featly tied.And so she passed the garden-sideWith loose-leaved roses sweetly set,And dainty daisies, dark besideThe fair white feet of Nicolete!
Her lover lay in evil plight(So many lovers yet abide!)I would my tongue could praise arightHer name, that should be glorified.Those lovers now, whom foes divideA little weep,—and soon forget.How far from these faint lovers glideThe fair white feet of Nicolete.