THAT EXQUISITE LARGE PEECE
Could any state on earth immortal be,
Venice by her rare Government is she....
Though, Syren-like, on shore and sea, her face
Enchants all those whom once she doth embrace.
Nor is there any can her beauty prize
But he who hath beheld her with his eyes....
Venus and Venice are, Great Queens in their degree;
Venus is Queen of love, Venice of policy.
JAMES HOWELL.