PROEM.

Maidens of Italy,
Napoli's daughters,
Send the sad requiem
Over the waters;—
Over the waters,
Solemnly, slowly,
Sing the sad requiem,
Mournfully, lowly;—
Sing the sad requiem,
Chant the low ditty,
Maids of the golden-shored
Heaven-cinctured city,
Ye who beheld him last,
Fair with life's youthfulness,
Heart-warm with nobleness,
Soul-proud with truthfulness,
Stricken down instantly,
Wrapped in death's gloominess—
While 'neath his window rose
Living and luminous
Azure-hued golden waves
 Parthenopean,
Up to the Lord of Life
Singing their pean.
Borrow their musical
Murmur, ye maidens,
Weak words of elegy
Borrow their cadence.
Wail him beside the blue
Lazulite waters,
Maidens of Italy,
Napoli's daughters.