| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
| |
| 1697. Camilla |
| | | By Charles Augustus Keeler |
| |
| |
| NOW Camilla’s fair fingers are plucking in rapture the pulsating strings, | |
| And her far-away eyes are intent on the scene and the story she sings— | |
| Singing her song of Felipe, her hero intrepid and true; | |
| Singing his praise, and recounting what deeds for her love he would do. | |
| |
| See the wild race after cattle, the broncho’s wide nostrils blood red; | 5 |
| Hear the hello of the herder, Felipe, who dashes ahead! | |
| Hist, how the lariat sings as it flies o’er the horns of a steer! | |
| See the wild plunge, and the horse standing firm—hear the bellow of fear! | |
| |
| Then on the trail of Apaches, who leads the long marches by night? | |
| Who but Felipe would dare to press on o’er the mesa to fight? | 10 |
| Who but Felipe sits firm in his saddle when rifles ring out in the dark? | |
| Coolly he levels his weapon, the bullet flies true to its mark. | |
| |
| Such is the song sweet Camilla is singing with gaze far-away— | |
| Such is the song, for she knows not how long her Felipe will stay— | |
| Knows not that lone in the waste of the sage-brush her master lies, slain— | 15 |
| Ah, sweet Camilla, thy songs for Felipe, the fearless, are vain! | |
| |
|
|
|
