Thursday's Child: I Stood in Venice

Thursday, March 13, 2014


I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs;
A palace and a prison on each hand:
I saw from out the wave her structures rise
As from the stroke of the enchanter's wand:
A thousand years their cloudy wings expand
Around me, and a dying glory smiles
O'er the far times, when many a subject land
Looked to the winged Lion's marble piles,
Where Venice sate in state, throned on her hundred isles!

Lunette, St. Mark's Basilica

Mosaic, St. Mark's Basilica
She looks a sea Cybele, fresh from ocean,
Rising with her tiara of proud towers
At airy distance, with majestic motion,
A ruler of the waters and their powers:
And such she was; her daughters had their dowers
From spoils of nations, and the exhaustless East
Poured in her lap all gems in sparkling showers.
In purple was she robed, and of her feast
Monarchs partook, and deemed their dignity increased.



In Venice Tasso's echoes are no more,
And silent rows the songless gondolier;
Her palaces are crumbling to the shore,
And music meets not always now the ear:
Those days are gone - but beauty still is here;
States fail, arts fade - but Nature doth not die,
Nor yet forget how Venice once was dear,
The pleasant place of all festivity,
The revel of the earth, the masque of Italy!

- from Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, by George Byron
Courtyard of Pension Accademia
St. Mark's Campanile


15 comments:

Kathy said...

I have always wanted to visit Venice! Wonderful post, Beth…gorgeous photos!

Catherine said...

Dear Beth, What beautiful pictures of Venice. Such a unique and magical city! Thank you for sharing. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

Gloria Baker said...

This look beautiful ! I would like to know Venice!!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Love the pictures. Would love to go there someday.

Anonymous said...

Your lovely photos make me realize that it has been too long since I visited Venice.

Valerie Gamine said...

Splendid! What a perfect narrative for the photos.

Jess said...

Gorgeous!

Julia said...

Venice - what a beautiful city! And the photos really convey the mood of this wonderful city on water!

Mary @ The World Is A Book said...

I love the beautiful photos intertwined with the poem. Venice is one of my favorite cities.What a great collection of photos to showcase its beauty. Wish I can go back soon.

Barbara said...

Venice....so lovely and your photos tell the story of why I love it so!

Jemi Fraser said...

Stunning pics! One of these days I'll get there!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! I need to go there someday!

Angie's Recipes said...

Those photos of Venice are truly beautiful! Thanks for sharing, Beth.

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Lovely! My sister-in-law just told us that her father is taking her to Italy next year--isn't she lucky!

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos Beth. What a fun place to visit!!

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