Longfellow’s Visit to Venice

Near the celebrated Lido where the breeze is fresh and free
Stands the ancient port of Venice called the City of the Sea

All its streets are made of water, all its homes are brick and stone
Yet it has a picturesqueness which is justly all its own

Here for centuries have artists come to see the vistas quaint
Here Bellini set his easel, herе he taught his School to paint

Here thе youthful Giorgione gazed upon the domes and towers
And interpreted his era in a way which pleases ours

A later artist, Tintoretto, also did his paintings here
Massive works which generations have continued to revere

Still to-day come modern artists to portray the buildings fair
And their pictures may be purchased on San Marco's famous Square

When the bell notes from the belfries and the campaniles chime
Still to-day we find Venetians elegantly killing time

In their gilded old palazzos, while the music in our ears
Is the distant band at Florians mixed with songs of gondoliers

Thus the New World meets the Old World and the sentiments expressed
Are melodiously mingled in my warm New England breast