Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VENICE, by GIOVANNI DELLA CASA


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VENICE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: These marble domes, by wealth and genius graced
Last Line: O'erwhelmed by luxury, and by wealth opprest!
Subject(s): Venice, Italy


THESE marble domes, by wealth and genius graced,
With sculptured forms, bright hues, and Parian stone,
Were once rude cabins 'midst a lonely waste,
Wild shores of solitude, and isles unknown.

Pure from each vice, 'twas here a venturous train
Fearless in fragile barks explored the sea;
Not theirs a wish to conquer or to reign,
They sought these island-precincts -- to be free.

Ne'er in their souls ambition's flame arose,
No dream of avarice broke their calm repose;
Fraud, more than death, abhorred each artless breast;
Oh! now, since Fortune gilds their brightening day,
Let not those virtues languish and decay,
O'erwhelmed by luxury, and by wealth opprest!





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