44 to XL, exclusive of Stanzą XXXII; two leaves, one shorter than the other by the length of a stanza, written upon both sides of the paper, and probably having lost stanza XXXII with stanza XXIX at the back of it by a stroke of those generous scissars wherewith manuscripts of Keats were distributed by Severn, formerly the owner of these fragments. The variations shown by them are noted in the following pages.-H. B. F.] ISABELLA; OR, THE POT OF BASIL. I. FAIR Isabel, poor simple Isabel! They could not, sure, beneath the same roof sleep II. With every morn their love grew tenderer, To her, than noise of trees or hidden rill; III. He knew whose gentle hand was at the latch, Before the door had given her to his eyes; And from her chamber-window he would catch Her beauty farther than the falcon spies; And constant as her vespers would he watch, Because her face was turn'd to the same skies; And with sick longing all the night outwear, To hear her morning-step upon the stair. IV. A whole long month of May in this sad plight Made their cheeks paler by the break of June: "To-morrow will I bow to my delight, "To-morrow will I ask my lady's boon." "O may I never see another night, 'Lorenzo, if thy lips breathe not love's tune."So spake they to their pillows; but, alas, Honeyless days and days did he let pass; V. Until sweet Isabella's untouch'd cheek "And yet I will, and tell my love all plain : "If looks speak love-laws, I will drink her tears, "And at the least 'twill startle off her cares." VI. So said he one fair morning, and all day His heart beat awfully against his side; And to his heart he inwardly did pray For power to speak; but still the ruddy tide Stifled his voice, and puls'd resolve away— VII. So once more he had wak'd and anguished If Isabel's quick eye had not been wed And straight all flush'd; so, lisped tenderly, "Lorenzo!"-here she ceas'd her timid quest, But in her tone and look he read the rest. VIII. "O Isabella, I can half perceive "That I may speak my grief into thine ear; "If thou didst ever any thing believe, "Believe how I love thee, believe how near "My soul is to its doom: I would not grieve "Thy hand by unwelcome pressing, would not fear "Thine eyes by gazing; but I cannot live "Another night, and not my passion shrive. IX. "Love! thou art leading me from wintry cold, "Lady! thou leadest me to summer clime, "And I must taste the blossoms that unfold "In its ripe warmth this gracious morning time." So said, his erewhile timid lips grew bold, And poesied with hers in dewy rhyme : Great bliss was with them, and great happiness Grew, like a lusty flower in June's caress. X. Parting they seem'd to tread upon the air, The inward fragrance of each other's heart. Sang, of delicious love and honey'd dart ; He with light steps went up a western hill, And bade the sun farewell, and joy'd his fill. XI. All close they met again, before the dusk Had taken from the stars its pleasant veil, Unknown of any, free from whispering tale. XII. Were they unhappy then?-It cannot be- Too many doleful stories do we see, Whose matter in bright gold were best be read; Except in such a page where Theseus' spouse Over the pathless waves towards him bows. XIII. But, for the general award of love, The little sweet doth kill much bitterness; Though Dido silent is in under-grove, And Isabella's was a great distress, |