Oh! was not the world beautiful in those her palmy days?
This world of ours was beautiful when Venice ruled the tide,
And thousand voices rose to greet the old man’s ocean bride;
The waters gladly danced around the castles old and proud,
And from the latticed balconies, upon the passing crowd,
Gleamed forth the light of beauty’s eye—Venetia’s daughters fair,
With hearts as pure as were the gems that glistened in their hair;
As bold in danger, true in love, as brave men’s brides should be;
Oh! was not the world beautiful when Venice ruled the sea?
This world of ours was beautiful when ’neath Italia’s skies