Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ALHAMBRA SONGS: 2. IN THE BOOTH OF THE STORY-TELLER, by THOMAS WALSH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ALHAMBRA SONGS: 2. IN THE BOOTH OF THE STORY-TELLER, by                    
First Line: Upon a stream which from alhambra down
Last Line: Ay, ay di mí!—the stars are fated so!—
Alternate Author Name(s): Gill, Roderick; Strange, Garrett
Subject(s): Fate; Spain; Destiny


UPON a stream which from Alhambra down
Went tumbling through the alleys of the town,—
Ay, ay di mí!—one listless noontide hour
Young Azafía tossed an almond flower,—
Ay, ay di mí!—the stars are fated so!—
And swift a slave was to the council hall
To whisper crafty Abu-Saíd all,
As down the steeps of rock and moss and spray
Below the Paupers' Bridge they traced its way,
Until along the market-place it passed
And some poor hag reached out and caught it fast.
When this to Abu-Saíd's ear was told,
He sent the pauper down his purse of gold.
Ay, ay di mí!—the stars are fated so!—
Pale Azafía, neither knew nor cared,
Child of the desert, whither it had fared,
But soon again, while lurked the slave to see,
Shook on the stream a blossom from the tree.
Ay, ay di mí!—the stars are fated so!—
Down in Granada's prison desolate
In chains they held as prisoner of state
Guzmán De Lara who for solace there
Touched on his lute some old Biscayan air.
He saw the flower, and through the bars he caught
And pressed it to his lips in tender thought
Of youth and home.—That night,—ay, ay di mí!—
There was the cry of one in agony,
And on the stream against his iron door
At break of day was seen the dripping gore.
Ay, ay di mí!—the stars are fated so!—





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net