Si vile e si rozzo—such a boor—
Had risen to the pinnacle of Art
In Venice, where all Art was at its height,
And gained the crown of glory—Iddio!
“Ten francs a month besides the perquisites!”
They bowed before him with deep reverence,
Hoping he’d stay with them a little time.
Then some one spoke with hesitating tone,
As if in fear to take a liberty,
And said: “Your Excellence—if we might dare—