To a roof to me the dearest.
Old Vesuvius and the white sails
On the bay are greeting bringing,
And the olive-woods are gladdened
By the spring-birds' joyous singing.
To the Loggia slinks Carmela,
Strokes my beard with soft caresses;
Of all cats by far the fairest,
Lovingly my paw she presses.
And she looks on me with longing,