Shut out by Alpine hills from the rude world,

Near a clear lake margined by fruits of gold

And whispering myrtles; glassing softest skies

As cloudless, save with rare and roseate shadows,

As I would have thy fate!

A palace lifting to eternal summer

Its marble walls from out a glossy bower

Of coolest foliage musical with birds,

Whose song should syllable thy name! At noon

We’d sit beneath the arching vines, and wonder