Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/210

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a stain, In the sun-brimmed sapphire cup that is the sky Not a ripple on the black translucent lane Of the palace-walled lagoon. Not a cry As the gondoliers with velvet oar glide by, Through the golden afternoon. From this height Where the carved, age-yellowed balcony o’erjuts Yonder liquid, marble pavement, see the light Shimmer soft beneath the bridge That abuts On a labyrinth of water-ways and shuts Half their sky off with its ridge. We shall mark All the pageant from this ivory porch of ours, Masques and jesters, mimes and minstrels, while we hark To their music as they fare. Scent their flowers Flung from boat to boat in rainbow radiant showers Through the laughter-ringing air.