Page 77 - Princess Belle-Etoile and Prince Cherie

That we to please have lost the power!
In despair we rail at Fate,
And strive to charm when all too late.

"Youthful hearts, your time improve,
Yours the season is for love;
Youth soon flies,
Beauty dies,

And frosty age blights every flower.
Ah, what woe
It is to know,
That we to please have lost the power!
In despair we rail at Fate,
And strive to charm,
when all too late."

Belle-Etoile thought the words were very
pretty; she went to the balcony to see who it
was singing. As soon as she appeared, Feintise,
who had dressed herself very neatly, made her
a low curtsey; the Princess bowed in her turn,
and as she was in a lively humour, asked her if
the words she had just heard were made upon
herself. "Yes, charming young lady," replied

Feintise, "they were made upon me; but that
such may never be made upon you, I come to
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