Venice

Night in her dark array
  Steals o'er the ocean,
  And with departed day
  Hushed seems its motion.
  Slowly o'er yon blue coast
  Onward she's treading,
  Till its dark line is lost,
  'Neath her veil spreading.
  The bark on the rippling deep
  Hath found a pillow,
  And the pale moonbeams sleep
  On the smooth billow.
  Bound by her emerald zone
  Venice is lying,
  And round her marble crown
  Night winds are sighing.
  From the high lattice now
  Bright eyes are gleaming,
  That seem on night's dark brow,
  Brighter stars beaming.
  Now o'er the blue lagune
  Light barks are dancing,
  And 'neath the silver moon
  Swift oars are glancing.
  Strains from the mandolin
  Steal o'er the water,
  Echo replies between
  To mirth and laughter.
  O'er the wave seen afar
  Brilliantly shining,
  Gleams like a fallen star
  Venice reclining.