C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

King Henry IV. of France (1553–1610) (attributed)

Translation of John Oxenford

MORNING bright,

Rise to sight,—

Glad am I thy face to see:

One I love,

All above,

Has a ruddy cheek like thee.

Fainter far

Roses are,

Though with morning dew-drops bright;

Ne’er was fur

Soft like her,

Milk itself is not so white.

When she sings,

Soon she brings

Listeners out from every cot;

Pensive swains

Hush their strains,—

All their sorrows are forgot.

She is fair

Past compare;

One small hand her waist can span.

Eyes of light—

Stars, though bright,

Match those eyes you never can.

Hebe blest

Once the best

Food of gods before her placed:

When I sip

Her red lip,

I can still the nectar taste.