The boatmen are calling,
"Stalì — stalì!"
The glory is falling
On me — on me !
The sunlight is shaking
The bay — the bay !
Then up and be waking ;
"Già è — già è"
In Venice the golden,
To dream — to dream.
With love-stories olden,
For theme — for theme !
The blue sky above her
Fair sea — fair sea,
Laughs light on the lover;
"Stalì — stalì!"
The waves are her highways,
So deep — so deep !
The waters her byways,
Asleep — asleep !
No stir in the air is.
No sound — no sound,
Save footsteps of fairies.
Around — around !
The clouds of the hazy
Forenoon — forenoon.
Sleep over the lazy
Lagoon — lagoon !
About us a glamour
Doth move — doth move.
The sense to enamour
Of love — of love !
The Doges are perished.
And gone — and gone;
The sea-bride they cherished.
Laughs on — laughs on !
We pass through Death's portal,
As they — as they ;
Like her. Love's immortal !
"Già è — già è"
The pride of the nations,
"Stalì — stalì!"
That hath for foundations
The sea — the sea.
Was made for a home, dear,
For you — for you ;
Then why should we roam, dear,
We two — we two ?