GAILY SOUNDS THE CASTANET. AIR-Maltese. GAILY sounds the castanet, Beating time to bounden feet, When, after day-light's golden set, Maids and youths by moon-light meet, Oh! then, how sweet to move Through all that maze of mirth, Lighted by those eyes we love, Then, the joyous banquet spread With night's bright eye-beams over head, Oh! then, how sweet to say Into the loved one's ear, Thoughts reserved through many a day, To be thus whisper'd here. When the dance and feast are done, And words whose parting tone That haunt young hearts alone. LOVE IS A HUNTER BOY. AIR-Languedocian. LOVE is a hunter-boy, Who makes young hearts his prey; And in his nets of joy Ensnares them night and day. In vain conceal'd they lie, Love tracks them every In vain aloft they fly, where; Love shoots them flying there. But 'tis his joy most sweet, At early dawn to trace The print of Beauty's feet, And give the trembler chace. And most he loves through snow To track those footsteps fair, For then the boy doth know None track'd before him there. COME, CHASE THAT STARTING TEAR AWAY. AIR-French. COME, chase that starting tear away, Like sun-set gleams, that linger late, Are hours like these we snatch from fate, Then chase that starting tear away, To gild our dark'ning life, if heav'n Oh! think that one bright hour is giv'n |