Gayly Sound the Castanet

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h1 id="id02344" style="margin-top: 6em">GAYLY SOUNDS THE CASTANET.</h1> <h5 id="id02345">(MALTESE AIR.)</h5> <p id="id02346" style="margin-top: 2em">Gayly sounds the castanet,<br/> Beating time to bounding feet,<br/> When, after daylight's golden set,<br/> Maids and youths by moonlight meet.<br/> Oh, then, how sweet to move<br/> Thro' all that maze of mirth,<br/> Led by light from eyes we love<br/> Beyond all eyes on earth.<br/></p> <p id="id02347">Then, the joyous banquet spread<br/> On the cool and fragrant ground,<br/> With heaven's bright sparklers overhead,<br/> And still brighter sparkling round.<br/> Oh, then, how sweet to say<br/> Into some loved one's ear,<br/> Thoughts reserved thro' many a day<br/> To be thus whispered here.<br/></p> <p id="id02348">When the dance and feast are done,<br/> Arm in arm as home we stray,<br/> How sweet to see the dawning sun<br/> O'er her cheek's warm blushes play!<br/> Then, too, the farewell kiss—<br/> The words, whose parting tone<br/> Lingers still in dreams of bliss,<br/> That haunt young hearts alone.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />