Page:Restoration of the Works of Art to Italy - 2nd Edition.pdf/22

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14
THE RESTORATION


Shall catch a kindred glow, and proudly feel
His spirit burn with emulative zeal,
Buoyant with loftier hopes, his soul shall rise,
Imbued at once with nobler energies;
O'er life’s dim scenes on rapid pinions soar,
And worlds of visionary grace explore,
Till his bold hand give glory's day-dreams birth,
And with new wonders charm admiring earth.

    Venice exult! and o'er thy moonlight seas,
Swell with gay strains each Adriatic breeze!
What tho' long fled those years of martial fame,
That shed romantic lustre o'er thy name;
Tho' to the winds thy streamers idly play,
And the wild waves another Queen obey;
Tho' quenched the spirit of thine ancient race,
And power and freedom scarce have left a trace;