Venice

John Addington Symonds (1840–1893)

VENICE, thou Siren of sea cities, wrought

By mirage, built on water, stair o’er stair,

Of sunbeams and cloud shadows, phantom-fair,

With naught of earth to mar thy sea-born thought!

Thou floating film upon the wonder-fraught

Ocean of dreams! Thou hast no dream so rare

As are thy sons and daughters,—they who wear

Foam flakes of charm from thine enchantment caught.

O dark brown eyes! O tangles of dark hair!

O heaven-blue eyes, blonde tresses where the breeze

Plays over sunburned cheeks in sea-blown air!

Firm limbs of moulded bronze! frank debonair

Smiles of deep-bosomed women! Loves that seize

Man’s soul, and waft her on storm melodies!