Once Did She Hold The Gorgeous East In Fee; And Was The Safeguard Of The West: The Worth Of Venice Did Not Fall Below Her Birth, Venice, The Eldest Child Of Liberty. She Was A Maiden City, Bright And Free; No Guile Seduced, No Force Could Violate; And, When She Took Unto Herself A Mate, She Must Espouse The Everlasting Sea. And What If She Had Seen Those Glories Fade, Those Titles Vanish, And That Strength Decay; Yet Shall Some Tribute Of Regret Be Paid When Her Long Life Hath Reached Its Final Day: Men Are We, And Must Grieve When Even The Shade Of That Which Once Was Great Is Passed Away.