Orientale

SHE’S an enchanting little Israelite,

A world of hidden dimples!—Dusky-eyed,

A starry-glancing daughter of the Bride—

With hair escaped from some Arabian Night;

Her lip is red, her cheek is golden-white,

Her nose a scimitar; and, set aside

The bamboo hat she cocks with so much pride,

Her dress a dream of daintiness and delight.

And when she passes with the dreadful boys

And romping girls, the cockneys loud and crude,

My thought to the Minories tied, but moved to range

The Land o’ the Sun, commingles with the noise

Of magian drums and scents of sandal-wood,

A touch Sidonian, modern, taking, strange.