Sonnets written chiefly during a tour through Holland, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Hungary. By Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley |
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SONNET.
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53
SONNET.
ON VENICE.
Oh! Venice! Venice! Vision of my soul!—Thou Marble Eden of adoring hearts!—
Ark of my new affections!—never parts
From thee my memory, but doth round thee roll
As stars round suns!—on thy broad stony scroll
Is “Ruin” written, Queen of Arms and Arts!—
Yet Ruin smiles so fair thus, that there darts
A lovelier ray from Heaven's height to controul
Thy doom so dark—methinks!—Each Palace-Hall
Shows fair, as shine the coral-rocks beneath,
So bright—so delicate-fantastical!—
With sculptured scroll, and fruit, and clustered wreath!—
These might enchanted realms supreme recall;—
Oh, Venice! thy sweet praise shall cease but with my breath!
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