Portrait of a Lady

LADY, thy lofty brow is fair,
Beauty's sign and seal are there;
And thy lip is like the rose
Closing round the bee's repose;
And thine eye is like a star,
But blue as the sapphires' are.

Beautiful patrician! thou
Wearest on thy stately brow
All that suits a noble race,
All of high-born maiden's grace, —
Who is there could look on thee
And doubt thy nobility?

Round thee satin robe is flung,
Pearls upon thy neck are hung,
And upon thy arm of snow
Rubies like red sun-gifts glow;
Yet thou wearest pearl and gem
As thou hadst forgotten them. —
'Tis a step, but made to tread
O'er Persian web, or flower's head,
Soft hand that might only move in the broider'd silken glove, —
Cheek unused to ruder air
Than what hot-house rose might bear, —
One whom nature only meant
To be queen of the tournament, —
Courtly fete, and lighted hall,—
Grace and ornament of all!