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Themes and Variations

THE ROSE TO THE BUTTERFLY.

Come hither, fair neighbour, I pray,
 Far a moment descend at my side,
And talk of the news of the day,
 As we float in the sweet summertide.

Here where the cypress tree grows,
 Forever grows darker and grander,
Here where the pomegranate blows,
 Heliotrope, rose, oleander.

Does not the midsummer wind
 Breathe on us her balmiest sigh,
And from the dark forest unbind
 Sweet odours and melody?

My sisters may dance in the light,
 in gladness may blossom and fall,
But my lady will choose me to-night
 As she dresses her hair for the ball.

To the voice of the sweet violin
 We shall glide through the lamp-lighted room,
And when dawning brings new roses in,
 My life shall depart in perfume.

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