A French critic has said happily of this poem: '"La Rose de l'Infante"
est un chef-d'oeuvre, digne d'être illustré par Vélasquez.' (Gaston
Deschamps in Petit de Julleville's _Histoire de la langue et de la
littérature françaises_.)
The little princess, of whom such an enchanting picture is given in this
poem, is an imaginary figure. There was no Infanta of five years of age
at the epoch of the Armada.
_ basquine_, a rich skirt worn by Spanish women.
_point de Gênes_, Genoese lace, which at one time rivalled that of Venice.
_fil d'or florentin_, gold thread of Florence.
_Duc de Brabant_ was one of the many titles of the King of Spain.