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CARMELITA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O carmelita, know ye not
Last Line: O donna carmelita!
Subject(s): Pioneers; Texas Revolution (1835-1836); West (u.s.); Southwest; Pacific States


I

O CARMELITA, know ye not
For whom all hearts are pining?
And know ye not, in Beauty's sky,
The brightest planet shining?
Then learn it now—for thou art she,
Thy nation's jewel, born to be
By all beloved, but most by me —
O Donna Carmelita!

II

But wo is me thy love to lose,
Apart from thee abiding;
Between us roars a gloomy stream,
Our destiny dividing.
That stream with blood incarnadined
Flows from thy nation's erring mind,
And rolls with ruin to thy kind,
O Donna Carmelita!

III

'Tis mine, while floating on the tide,
To stick to love and duty;
I draw my sabre on the foe,
I strike my harp to beauty;
And who shall say the soldier's wrong,
Who, while he battles with the strong,
Still softens war with gentle song,
O Donna Carmelita?

IV

I soon shall seek the battle-field,
Where Freedom's flag is waving —
My Texas comrades by my side,
All perils madly braving;
I only grieve to think each blow,
That vengeance bids the steel bestow,
Must make thee mine eternal foe,
O Donna Carmelita!

V

Full well I know thy pride will spurn
The brightest wreaths I bring thee;
Full well I know thou wilt not heed,
The sweetest songs I sing thee;
Yet, all despite thy scorn and hate,
Despite the thousand ills of fate,
I still my soul must dedicate —
To Donna Carmelita!

VI

Then fare thee well, dear, lovely one —
May happiness attend thee;
Ten thousand harps exalt thy name,
Ten thousand swords defend thee:
And when the sod is on my breast,
My harp and sabre both at rest,
May thee and thine be greatly blest,
O Donna Carmelita!





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