Refrain—­
    Blushing, blushing,
    Roses of deepest dye;
    Flushing, flushing
    Red as the sunlit sky.

  Blushes those cheeks suffusing,
  Cupid’s enchantments prove;
  Prove that the little archer
  Whispers to you of love.

[Enter Paolo.]

Fairies—­
  Paolo here at last! 
  Where has he been in hiding? 
  He ought to be ashamed,
  But we must not be chiding.

Paolo—­
  I’m glad to find you all so bright and gay,
  Please, fairies, sing before you run away.

Fairy—­
  We’ve played so long, the hours of morn will pass
  E’re we can sip the dewdrops from the grass
  And glean the jewels from the lily’s cup. 
  The sunbeams now are gathering them up.

  Then we must weave some garments for our queen. 
  No lighter gossamer was ever seen
  Than spider web woven by fairy hands
  To wear when dancing on the moonlit sands.

  So now good-bye, we all must skip away;
  (We’ll take dear Cupid with us, if we may,
  To catch the butterflies and paint their wings.)
  We wish you all the joy that springtime brings,

[Fairies and Cupid Exit]

Paolo, turning to Virginia—­
  ’Tis thoughts of you have sped me on my way;
  Virginia, dear, I seek your hand to-day.

[Paolo, taking Virginia’s hands, looks into her eyes.]

    Reflections

Paolo—­
  Deep in your eyes are glowing
  Lights that are soft and true;
  While in their centre mirrored
  Is the love that I feel for you.

  Refrain—­
    Though but reflections
    Mirrored in loving eyes,
    Such pretty fancies
    Deepen our glad surprise.

  Love lights so true and tender,
  Framing my picture there,
  Rival in warmth and splendour
  Flashes from jewels rare.

Virginia—­
  My love had wildly fluttered to be free,
  It beat its wings against the prison bars;
  But now I know it yearned but unto thee
  Of all beneath the sun and silent stars.

  It sought with passion’s ardency to reach
  Some haven wherein it could welcome rest;
  It only needed Cupid’s dart to teach,
  The goal it sought for was within your breast.

[Paolo encircles Virginia with his arm]

    Love’s Confidence

Paolo—­
  Your lips, for kisses ripe,
  In sweetest lines are laid;
  You lift your face to mine
  Unblushing, unafraid.

  For love has confidence
  And nought but love repays
  The sweet confiding trust
  Your nestling touch conveys.