Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By LaurenceHutton

900 “The Doves of Venice”

AS the Transatlantic tourists

Have been rowed on the Lagoon,

They have mourned its ancient glories,

They have watched the Germans spoon.

As they ’ve sailed these famous highways,

As they ’ve floated on these tides,

The arts that most impressed them

Were the artless German brides.

As they ’ve listened to the music

Of the poor Italian bands,

Heard the same old tunes repeated,

Seen the Germans holding hands,—

They have wondered why all Venice,

From San Marco to Lagoon,

Is now illumined only

By a German honeymoon;

Why the steeds on the Duomo

Have not laughed horse-laughs, and shied

At the too transparent fondness

Of the modern German bride!

Why the very stones of Venice,

Which the great John Ruskin loves,

Are nothing but a roosting-place

For German turtle-doves!