Alas! the Dogeless city's silent sway
Will lessen momently, and fade away,
When the Rialto echoes to the roar
Of vaporetti, and in sad decay
The Gondola, its swan-like flittings o'er,
Neglected rots upon the solitary shore.
Such is the Venice of my youth and age,
Its spell a void, its charm a vacancy.
Rosy Romance, thou owest many a page,
Ay, many that erst grew beneath mine eye,