Goldoni,—good, gay, sunniest of souls,—
Glassing half Venice in that verse of thine,
What though it just reflect the shade and shine
Of common life, nor render as it rolls
Grandeur and gloom? Sufficient for thy scrolls
Was Carnival: Parini's depths enshrine
Secrets unsuited to that opaline
Surface of things which laughs along thy shoals.

There throng the People: how they come and go,
Lisp the soft language, flaunt the bright garb,—see,—
On Piazza, Calle, under Portico,
And over Bridge! Dear King of Comedy,
Be honoured! Thou who didst love Venice so,—
Venice, and we who love her, all love thee!