PREFACE. In this poem the author has endeavored to describe his journey through a beautiful country; and it may not perhaps be uninteresting to those who have learnt to live in past times as well as present, and whose minds are familiar with the events and the people that have rendered Italy so illustrious; for, wherever he came, he could not but remember; nor is he conscious of having slept over any ground that has been "dignified by wisdom, bravery or virtue." Much of it was originally published as it was written on the spot. He has since, on a second visit, revised it throughout, and added many stories from the old chroniclers, and many notes illustrative of the manners, customs and superstitions, there. ITALY. THE LAKE OF GENEVA. DAY glimmered in the east, and the white Moon Glad to be gone; a pilgrim from the North, Had from his window leant, drowsy, half-clad, To snuff the morn, or the caged lark poured forth, (His tuneful bill o'erflowing with a song He flung him down to weep, and wept till dawn; Then rose to go, a wanderer through the world. 'T is not a tale that every hour brings with it." Yet at a city-gate, from time to time, Much may be learnt; nor, London, least at thine, Press on though but a rill entering the sea, On the bright waters. When the heart of man |