THE IMPROVISATRICE.
83
Pallazzos with their marble halls,
Green gardens, silver waterfalls,
And orange groves and citron shades,
And cavaliers and dark-eyed maids;
Sweet voices singing, echoes sent
From many a rich-toned instrument.
I could not bear this loveliness!
It was on such a night as this
That love had lighted up my dream
Of long despair and short-lived bliss.
I sought the city; wandering on,
Unconscious where my steps might be;
My heart was deep in other thoughts;
All places were alike to me:—
At length I stopped beneath the walls
Of San Mark's old cathedral halls.
