TO A FLY
O fly! about Amira playing
Who art always with her straying;
Know'st the secret she is keeping;
Watchest when she's sweetly sleeping;
Or , when she is most aweary,
With thy hum su low and dreary
Over and above her singing
From unceasing, agile winging.
Now art thou her hand caressing;
Now her gentle bosom pressing;
Now with silken locks art toying;
Now her tinted cheek employing;
Now, thy scruples all dismissing,
E'en her rosy lips art kissing,—
Her lips, where 'tis that Love abiding
Seems my hopeless lot deriding.
O! that Fate, our cares exchanging,
Gave to me thy happy ranging!
Gaspar María de la Nava Álvarez, Conde de Noroña
English Translation by William Johnston Hutchinson