Venice

Venice, thou Siren of sea cities, wrought By mirage, built on water, stair o’er stair, Of sunbeams and cloud shadows, phantom-fair, With naught of earth to mar thy sea-born thought! Thou floating film upon the wonder-fraught Ocean of dreams! Thou hast no dream so rare As are thy sons and daughters,—they who wear Foam flakes of charm from thine enchantment caught. O dark brown eyes! O tangles of dark hair! O heaven-blue eyes, blonde tresses where the breeze Plays over sunburned cheeks in sea-blown air! Firm limbs of moulded bronze! frank debonair Smiles of deep-bosomed women! Loves that seize Man’s soul, and waft her on storm melodies!