Ricordi
Of a tower, of a tower, white
In the warm Italian night,
Of a tower that shines and springs
I dream, and of our delight.
Of doves, of a hundred wings
Sweeping in sound that sings
Past our faces, and wide
Returning in tremulous rings:
Of a window on Arno side,
Sun—warm when the rain has dried
On the roofs, and from far below
The clear street—cries are cried:
Of a certain court we know,
And love’s and sorrow’s throe
In marbles of mighty limb,
And the beat of our hearts aglow:
Of water whispering dim
To a porphyry basin’s rim;
Of flowers on a windy wall
Richly tossing, I dream.
And of white towns nestling small
Upon Apennine, with a tall
Tower in the sunset air
Sounding soft vesper—call:
And of golden morning bare
On Lucca roofs, and fair
Blue hills, and scent that shook
From blossoming chestnuts, where
Red ramparts overlook
Hot meadow and leafy nook,
And girls with laughing cries
Beat clothes in a glittering brook:
And of magic—builded skies
Upon still lagoons; and wise
Padua’s pillared street
In the charm of a day that dies:
Of olive—shade in the heat
And a lone, cool, rocky seat
On an island beach, and bright
Fresh ripples about our feet;
Of mountains in vast moon—light,
Of rivers’ rushing flight,
Of gardens of green retreat
I dream, and of our delight.
