Suddenly She broke off her dance, whirled herself round thrice with rapidity, and after a moment's pause She sang the following Ballad.
THE GYPSY'S SONG Come, cross my hand! My art surpasses All that did ever Mortal know; Come, Maidens, come! My magic glasses Your future Husband's form can show: For 'tis to me the power is given Unclosed the book of Fate to see; To read the fixed resolves of heaven, And dive into futurity.
I guide the pale Moon's silver waggon; The winds in magic bonds I hold; I charm to sleep the crimson Dragon, Who loves to watch o'er buried gold: Fenced round with spells, unhurt I venture Their sabbath strange where Witches keep; Fearless the Sorcerer's circle enter, And woundless tread on snakes asleep.
Lo! Here are charms of mighty power! This makes secure an Husband's truth And this composed at midnight hour Will force to love the coldest Youth: If any Maid too much has granted, Her loss this Philtre will repair; This blooms a cheek where red is wanted, And this will make a brown girl fair! Then silent hear, while I discover What I in Fortune's mirror view; And each, when many a year is over, Shall own the Gypsy's sayings true.
'Dear Aunt!' said Antonia when the Stranger had finished, 'Is She not mad ?' 'Mad?
Not She, Child; She is only wicked.

She is a Gypsy, a sort of Vagabond, whose sole occupation is to run about the country telling lyes, and pilfering from those who come by their money honestly.

Out upon such Vermin! If I were King of Spain, every one of them should be burnt alive who was found in my dominions after the next three weeks.' These words were pronounced so audibly that they reached the Gypsy's ears.

She immediately pierced through the Crowd and made towards the Ladies.

She saluted them thrice in the Eastern fashion, and then addressed herself to Antonia.
THE GYPSY 'Lady! gentle Lady! Know, I your future fate can show; Give your hand, and do not fear; Lady! gentle Lady! hear!' 'Dearest Aunt!' said Antonia, 'Indulge me this once! Let me have my fortune told me!' 'Nonsense, Child! She will tell you nothing but falsehoods.' 'No matter; Let me at least hear what She has to say.