Imagine, ma petite, br Dear sister mine, how sweet br Were we to go and take our pleasure br Leisurely, you and I— br To lie, to love, to die br Off in that land made to your measure! br A land whose suns' moist rays, br Through the skies' misty haze, br Hold quite the same dark charms for me br As do your scheming eyes br When they, in their like wise, br Shine through your tears, perfidiously. br br There all is order, naught amiss: br Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss. br br Treasure galore—ornate, br Time-glossed—would decorate br Our chamber, where the rarest blooms br Would blend their lavish scent, br Heady and opulent, br With wisps of amber-like perfumes; br Where all the Orient's br Splendid, rich ornaments— br Deep mirrors, ceilings fine—would each, br In confidential tone, br Speak to the soul alone br In its own sweet and secret speech. br br There all is order, naught amiss: br Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss. br br See how the ships, asleep— br They who would ply the deep!— br Line the canals: to satisfy br Your merest whim they come br From far-flung heathendom br And skim the seven seas. —On high, br The sunset's rays enfold br In hyacinth and gold, br Field and canal; and, with the night, br As shadows gently fall, br Behold! Life sleeps, and all br Lies bathed in warmth and evening light. br br There all is order, naught amiss: br Comfort and beauty, calm and bliss.