MIRALDA:

A TALE OF CUBA.1

I.

N Cuba, when that lovely land

IN

Saw Tacon reigning in his glory,
How Justice held, at his command,
Her balance with an even hand
Learn while you listen to my story.

Was poor and fair, and gay and witty, Yet in Havana not a dame

In satin had a fairer fame,

Or owned a face one half so pretty.

III.

For years she plied her humble trade,

(To sell cigars was her vocation,)

And many a gay gallant had paid

More pounds to please the handsome maid Than pence to buy his soul's salvation.

IV.

But though the maiden, like the sun,
Had smiles for every transient rover,
Her smiles were all the bravest won;
Miralda gave her heart to none

Save Pedro, her affianced lover;

V.

Pedro, a manly youth who bore
His station well as labor's vassal,
The while he plied a nimble oar
For passengers, from shore to shore,
Between the Punta and the Castle.

VI.

The handsome boatman she had learned
To love with fondest, truest passion;
For him she saved the gold she earned
For him Miralda proudly spurned

The doubtful suit of men of fashion.

Of these

VII.

a giddy, gaudy train,

Strict devotees of wanton Pleasure—

Gay Count Almonté sought to gain

Miralda's love; but all in vain ;

Her heart was still her Pedro's treasure.

VIII.

At last the Count, in sheer despair

Of gaining aught by patient suing, Contrived the wretch !

a cunning snare,

By wicked force to win and wear

The prize that spurned his gentler wooing.

IX.

One day a dashing Captain came,
Before the morning sun had risen,
And, bowing, begged to know her name.
"Miralda." "Faith! it is the same.

Here, men, conduct the girl to prison!"

X.

"By whose authority?" she said;

“The Governor's!" "Nay, then 't is folly To question more." She dropped her head, And followed where the Captain led, O'erwhelmed with deepest melancholy.

XI.

The prison seems a league or more
From poor Miralda's humble shanty;
Was e'er such treachery before?
The Count Almonté's at the door,

To hand her down from the volanté !

"Ah!

XII.

coward!" cried the angry maid; "This scurvy trick! - if Tacon knew it, Your precious 'Captain,' I 'm afraid, Would miss, for once, his dress-parade! Release me, Count, or you may rue it!"

XIII.

"Nay," said the Count, "that may not be ; I cannot let you go at present;

I'll lock you up awhile," said he ;

"If you are lonely, send for me;

I'll try to make your prison pleasant."

XIV.

Poor Pedro! guess the lad's dismay -
His stark astonishment at learning
His lady-love had gone away,
(But how or whither none could say,)
And left no word about returning!

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XV.

The man who wrote that "Love is blind"
Could ne'er have known a genuine lover;
Poor Pedro gave his anxious mind
Miralda's hiding-place to find,

And found it ere the day was over.

XVI.

Clad in a friar's garb, he hies

At night to where his love is hidden,
And, favored by his grave disguise,
He learns that she is safe, — and flies,
As he had entered, unforbidden.

XVII.

What could he do? he pondered long
On every plausible suggestion;

Alas! the rich may do a wrong,

And buy their quittance with a song,
If any dare the deed to question!

XVIII.

"Yet Rumor whispered long ago,
(Although she's very fond of lying,)
'Tacon loves justice!' - may be so;
Quien sabe? - Let his answer show!-
I'll go and see, it is but trying!"

XIX.

And, faith, the boatman kept his word;
To Tacon he the tale related,

Which, when the Governor had heard,

With righteous wrath his breast was stirred.

"Swear, boy," he said, “to what you 've stated!"

XX.

He took the oath, and straight began
For speedy justice to implore him:
Great Tacon frowned, "Be silent, man!"
Then called the guard, - away they ran,
And soon the culprit stood before him!

XXI.

Miralda too was standing near,

To witness to his dark transgression ; "Know you, my lord, why you are here?" "Yes, Excellencia, it is clear

That I must plead an indiscretion."

XXII.

"The uniform your servants wore

In this affair, — how came they by it? Whose sword was that your Captain bore? The crime is grave." "Nay, I implore

By act of yours been put upon her?"

"No, Excellencia; all in vain

Were bribes and threats her will to gain, — I here declare it on my honor!"

XXIV.

"Enough!" the Governor replied, And added, in a voice of thunder, "Go, bring a Priest!" What can betide? To shrive? to wed? who can decide?

All stood and mused in silent wonder.