Mimma Bella - Part 19

XIX

We search the darkness from the villa's height,

Guessing where cupola and dome and spire

Of Florence lie; till eyes begin to tire

'Mid the illusive shadows of the night.

Then suddenly there sparkles into sight

A mighty dome, rimmed round in points of fire,

Its segments outlined as by glowing wire;

And fairy towers follow, fiery bright.

An evanescent city built of stars,

The fair illumination of an hour

Born of the night, and quenched before the dawn;

Like the bright dream on Life's horizon bars

That held us for a moment in its power,

Ere Death's dark curtain over it was drawn.