Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Italy: Vols. XI–XIII. 1876–79.

Venice

Row Gently Here

By Thomas Moore (1779–1852)

ROW gently here, my gondolier; so softly wake the tide,

That not an ear on earth may hear, but hers to whom we glide.

Had Heaven but tongues to speak, as well as starry eyes to see,

O, think what tales ’t would have to tell of wandering youths like me!

Now rest thee here, my gondolier; hush, hush, for up I go,

To climb yon light balcony’s height, while thou keep’st watch below.

Ah! did we take for heaven above but half such pains as we

Take day and night for woman’s love, what angels we should be!