| Samuel Waddington, comp. The Sonnets of Europe. 1888. | | | | The Rival | | By Faustina Maratti (c. 1679–1745) |
| | Translated by Thomas Russell
TOO beauteous Rival, whose enticing charms | |
| Once to my heart’s sole darling seemed so fair | |
| That oft he praises still thine ivory arms, | |
| Thy ruby lips, blue eyes, and auburn hair;— | |
| Say, when he heard thy tongue’s seducing strain, | 5 |
| Stood he e’er silent, or with scorn replied, | |
| Or turned with altered brow of cold disdain | |
| From thy soft smiles, as now from mine, aside? | |
| Once, once, too well I know, he held thee dear, | |
| And then, when captive to thy sovereign will— | 10 |
| But why that look abashed, that starting tear, | |
| Those conscious blushes which my fears fulfil? | |
| Speak, answer, speak; nay, answer not, forbear, | |
| If thou must answer that he loves thee still. | | | | |
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