THE DUKE'S STRATEGEM; A MILANESE TALE by JOHN GODFREY SAXE

THE Duke of Milan -- Galeazzo named --
Supremely loved Correggia, widely famed
For every charm a maiden might possess;
And, in her heart, she loved the Duke no less;
Though each, awhile (so churlish Fate designed
To mar their bliss) knew not the other's mind,
But hoped and feared in silence; till, at last,
When many a moon of trembling doubt was passed,
And Gossip vainly had essayed to seek
The cause of Galeazzo's pallid cheek
And moody air, some ladies of the Court
Addressed him boldly thus (as half in sport
And half in earnest): "Sire! we all can see
Your Highness is in love! -- and now, that we
May pay our loyal service where the same
Is justly due, we fain would know the name
Of her, -- the happy lady of your choice!"
Surprised, abashed, the Duke, with faltering voice,
In civil sort such merry answers made,
As best might serve the question to evade.
In vain! as one by one their weapons fail,
With fresh artillery they the Duke assail,
Until, at length, 't is clear the man must yield,
By clamor overpowered, -- or fly the field!
"A truce, -- a truce!" he cried, "for mercy's sake!
Now, please you all! a banquet I will make,
Such as may suit so fair a company:
Come, one and all, and see what you shall see,
To aid -- perchance to end -- your merry quest."
And all said "Aye!" -- Correggia with the rest.
The banquet over, Galeazzo set
Upon the board a curious cabinet
In which, upon a panel, was portrayed,
In happiest art, the picture of a maid
(Some clever painter's). "There!" said he,
All ye who choose, my lady-love may see!"
Now, when the fair Correggia -- lingering last,
For fearfulness -- observed that all who passed
The pictured girl, in silence turned away
As from a face unknown, -- in deep dismay
She took her turn to gaze; when God of Grace!
She saw no painted image, but the face
Which her own features, radiantly fair,
Reflected, blushing, in a mirror there!
And so it was the two true loves were known;
And so it came to pass that not alone
The happy Galeazzo filled the ducal throne!

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