Ansaldo’s Garden

Beautiful the hearts that keep ’Neath the frosts of age Something of their youthful heat, Tempered in its rage.

Teian-like, they laugh and sing, Though the shadows gather; For they feel the warmth of spring In the wintry weather.

Minstrels ’neath the snows of time Feel their bosoms glowing, With a fervor as sublime As when flowers were blowing.

Like to tomb-lamps’ beams, that spread Lustre round decay, To the last their hearts will shed Sunlike haloes, fancies gay.

Thus Ansaldo’s garden bloomed, June in January set, While the frosty stars illumed Orange leaf and mignonette.