CANTO THE FOURTH. L. I STOOD in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs ;1 1 I saw from out the wave her structures rise O'er the far times, when many a subject land Where Venice sate in state, throned on her hundred isles! II. She looks a sea Cybele, fresh from ocean, A ruler of the waters and their powers: 2 And such she was ;-her daughters had their dowers Monarchs partook, and deem'd their dignity increased. III. In Venice Tasso's echoes are no more,3 The revel of the earth, the masque of Italy! IV. But unto us she hath a spell beyond Her name in story, and her long array Of mighty shadows, whose dim forms despond Above the dogeless city's vanish'd sway; Ours is a trophy which will not decay With the Rialto; Shylock and the Moor, And Pierre, can not be swept or worn awayThe keystones of the arch! though all were o'er, For us repeopled were the solitary shore. V. The beings of the mind are not of clay; And multiply in us a brighter ray And more beloved existence: that which Fate Of mortal bondage, by these spirits supplied, VI. Such is the refuge of our youth and age, And the strange constellations which the Muse VII. I saw or dream'd of such,-but let them go,They came like truth, and disappear'd like dreams; And whatsoe'er they were-are now but so: I could replace them if I would; still teems My mind with many a form which aptly seems Such as I sought for, and at moments found; Let these too go—for waking Reason deems Such over-weening phantasies unsound, And other voices speak, and other sights surround. VIII. I've taught me other tongues, and in strange eyes S IX. Perhaps I loved it well; and should I lay X. My name from out the temple where the dead I should have known what fruit would spring from such a seed. XI. The spouseless Adriatic mourns her lord; And, annual marriage now no more renew'd, The Bucentaur lies rotting unrestored, Neglected garment of her widowhood! St. Mark yet sees his lion where he stood Stand, but in mockery of his wither'd power, Over the proud Place where an Emperor sued, And monarchs gazed and envied in the hour When Venice was a queen with an unequall'd dower. |