“Don Ramiro! Don Ramiro! Shake thy gloomy sadness from thee; On the earth are many maidens, But by God have we been parted.
“Don Ramiro, who so bravely Many Moors hast overpower’d, Overpower now thyself too,-- Come to-morrow to my wedding.”
“Donna Clara! Donna Clara! Yes, I swear it, yes, I’ll come there! And the dance will lead off with thee;-- So good night, I’ll come to-morrow.”
“So good night!”--The window rattled; Sighing stood below Ramiro, Seeming turn’d to stone long stood he; Then he vanish’d in the darkness.
Lastly, after lengthen’d conflict, Night to day in turn surrender’d; Like a blooming flowery garden Lies extended fair Toledo.
Palaces and splendid buildings Glitter in the radiant sunlight, And the churches’ domes so lofty Glisten proudly, as though gilded.
Humming like a busy beehive, Merrily the bells are sounding; Sweetly rise the solemn psalm-tunes From the God-devoted churches.
But look yonder! but look yonder! Where from out the market chapel, Midst the heaving crowd and uproar, Streams the throng in chequer’d masses.
Glittering knights and stately ladies In gay courtly dresses sparkle, And the clear-toned bells are ringing, And the organ peals between times.
But with reverence saluted, In the people’s midst are walking, Nobly clad, the youthful couple, Donna Clara, Don Fernando.
To the bridegroom’s palace entrance Slowly moves the gay procession; There begin the ceremonies, Stately, and in olden fashion.
Knightly games and merry feasting Interchange with loud rejoicing; Swiftly fly the hours thus gladly Till the shades of night have fallen.
And the wedding-guests assemble In the hall, to hold the dances, And their chequer’d gala dresses Midst the glittering lights are sparkling.
On a high-exalted dais Bride and bridegroom are reclining, Donna Clara, Don Fernando, Holding loving conversation.
In the hall are gaily moving All the festal crowd of people, And the kettle-drums sound loudly, And the trumpets, too, are crashing.
“Wherefore, O my heart’s fair mistress. Are thy glances so directed Tow’rd the hall’s most distant corner?” Thus the knight exclaim’d with wonder.
“Seest thou not, then, Don Fernando, Yonder man in dark cloak hidden?” And the knight with smiling answered: “Ah, ’tis nothing but a shadow.”