th fixed its dwelling-place.
Creature so heavenly fair,
May any mortal genius dare,
Or less than tongue divine,
To praise in lofty, rare, and sounding line?

ANDREW

To praise in lofty, rare, and sounding line
Thy name, gitana bright!
Earth's wonder and delight,
Worthy above the empyrean vault to shine;
Fain would I snatch from Fame
The trump and voice, whose loud acclaim
Should startle every ear,
And lift Preciosa's name to the eighth sphere.

CLEMENT

To lift Preciosa's fame to the eighth sphere
Were meet and fit, that so
The heavens new joy might know
Through all their shining courts that name to hear,
Which on this earth doth sound
Like music spreading gladness round,
Breathing with charm intense
Peace to the soul and rapture to the sense.

It seemed as though the freeman and the captive were in no haste to
bring their tuneful contest to conclusion, had not the voice of
Preciosa, who had overheard them, sounded from behind in response to
theirs. They stopped instantly, and remained listening to her in
breathless attention. Whether her words were delivered impromptu, or had
been composed some time before, I know not; however that may be, she
sang the following lines with infinite grace, as though they were made
for the occasion.

While in this amorous emprise
An equal conflict I maintain,
'Tis higher glory to remain
Pure maid, than boast the brightest eyes.

The humblest plant on which we tread,
If sound and straight it grows apace,
By aid of nature or of grace
May rear aloft towards heaven its head.

In this my lowly poor estate,
By maiden honour dignified,
No good wish rests unsatisfied;
Their wealth I envy not the great.

I find not any grief or pain
In lack of love or of esteem;
For I myself can shape, I deem,
My fortunes happy in the main.

Let me but do what in me lies
The path of rectitude to tread;
And then be welcomed on this head
Whatever fate may please the skies.

I fain would know if beauty hath
Such high prerogative, to raise
My mind above the common ways,
And set me on a loftier path.

If equal in their souls they be,
The humblest hind on earth may vie
In honest worth and virtue high
With one of l