Speaks forth thy heart from the Lost Glory still?
We have rare legends of thy marvelous presence—
In Egypt’s Queen and bright Zenobia’s form;
In lovelorn Sappho thrilled thine airiest essence—
In proud Aspasia’s intellectual charm!
Nor was thy soul (through Raphael’s pencil) wanting
In Fornarina’s soft seraphic face!
And, thanks to Petrarch, Laura’s form is haunting
Our hearts with dreams of rare and breathing grace.
Once more! thou art the well-beloved of Nature!