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Translated by W. D. Howells
THE TWILIGHT is deepening, still is the wave; | |
| I sit by the window mute as by a grave; | |
| Silent, companionless, secret I pine; | |
| Through my tears where thou liest, I look, Venice mine! | |
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| On the clouds, brokenly strewn through the west, | 5 |
| Dies the last ray of the sun sunk to rest, | |
| And a sad sibillance under the moon | |
| Sighs from the broken heart of the Lagoon. | |
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| Out of the city a boat draweth near: | |
| “You of the gondola, tell us, what cheer?” | 10 |
| “Bread lacks, the cholera deadlier grows; | |
| From the Lagoon Bridge the white banner blows.” | |
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| No, no, nevermore, on so great woe, | |
| Bright sun of Italy, nevermore glow! | |
| Over Venetian hopes shattered so soon | 15 |
| Mourn in thy sorrow forever, Lagoon! | |
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| Venice, to thee comes at last the last hour, | |
| Martyr illustrious, in thy foe’s power; | |
| Bread lacks, the cholera deadlier grows, | |
| From the Lagoon Bridge the white banner blows. | 20 |
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| Not all the battle-flames over thee streaming, | |
| Not all the numberless bolts o’er thee screaming, | |
| Not for war’s terrors thy free days are dead: | |
| Long live Venice that perished for bread! | |
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| On thine immortal page, sculpture, O story, | 25 |
| Others’ iniquity, Venice’s glory: | |
| Forever thrice infamous let his name be | |
| Who triumphed by famine, my Venice, o’er thee! | |
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| Long live Venice; undaunted she fell, | |
| Bravely she fought for her freedom and well; | 30 |
| But bread lacks, the cholera deadlier grows, | |
| From the Lagoon Bridge the white banner blows. | |
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| And now be shivered upon the stone here | |
| Till thou be free the mute lyre that I bear. | |
| Unto thee, Venice, shall be my last song, | 35 |
| To thee the last kiss and the last tear belong. | |
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| In exile and lonely from home I depart, | |
| But Venice forever shall live in my heart; | |
| In its most sacred place Venice shall be | |
| As was the vision of first love to me. | 40 |
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| Lo, the wind rises, and over the pale | |
| Face of its waters the deep sends a wail; | |
| Breaking, the chords shriek, and the voice dies,— | |
| On the Lagoon Bridge the white banner flies! | |
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