JASMINE, SPANISH 
Rich and Rare. 
THE DUENNA. 
“The blue eyes of the north have charms— 
But give me Seville’s daughters! 
With glances sweet as angels’ smiles, 
And eyes like shaded waters. 
But as the gold the dragon watched, 
Each has her grim duenna, 
A withered, sulky atomy, 
As hideous as Gehenna! 
“A northern maid is coy and free, 
No perils cross the lover; 
He sues in form—there is a blush— 
A ‘yes!’ and all is over. 
But when a Spanish maid is wooed, 
Full many a danger greets you— 
And if you seek a tete-a-tete , 
Her old duenna meets you! 
“You s’cale the walls at dead of night, 
Those Argus eyes have seen you— 
You fling a flower through the grate, 
Her finger shakes between you! 
If now and then you win a glance 
From eyes as dark as henna, 
Alas! when next you look for one, 
You see the grim duenna!” 
I saw her in her Beauty’s pride, 
And Love will name her ever 
The fairest flower that blooms beside 
Her glorious Guadalquiver. 
