The charm of Venice

by Unknown

THE CHARM OF VENICE

The charm of Venice: that subtle dreamy charm ... which no artist or poet ever can resist.

OUIDA.

I do not know how this should be, but Venice seems made to prove that ‘La Vita è un sogno.’ What the Venice dream is all the world knows. Motion that is almost imperceptible, colour too deep and gorgeous to strike the eye, gilding so massive and ancient as to wear a mist of amber brown upon its brightness, white cupolas that time has turned to pearls, marble that no longer looks like stone, but like blocks cut from summer clouds, a smooth sea that is brighter and more infinite than the sky it reflects—these are some of the ingredients of the dream which are too familiar for description. Nothing can describe the elemental warmth of the days, the sea-kisses of the wind at evening, the atmosphere of breathless tepid moonlight in the night.

JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS.

Venice is among cities what Shakespeare is among men.

WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR.

I may speak of thee as the traveller doth of Venice:

Vinegia, Vinegia,

Chi non te vede, ei non te pregia.