III.— THE SONG OF THE PRINCE IN DISGUISE

By Robert Nichols

The look in thine eyes can change me utterly;

Thine eyes challenge: my heart is lighted,

I am thy taper, I burn straight-pointed —

Ay, even so doing I waste away.

Bathe me in thy calm eyes’ soft glances;

I am thy slave, I bow, I worship;

Bid me to steal, and I will steal gladly:

Ah! bid me not, thou robbest my manhood.

Let thine eyes smile: change comes upon me,

I put forth blossoms, flowers of my passion,

Roses crimson, alas! whose petals,

Once white, now blush with blood of my heart.

Gaze not on me: I burn, I perish;

Gaze not on me: I am thy servant;

Gaze not on me: I sink a-bleeding;

Yet gaze! I cannot otherwise live.