Once did She hold the gorgeous east in fee;

锦绣东方曾一度归她主宰； 

 And was the safeguard of the west: the worth

 西方也靠她卫护，受她庇荫； 

 Of Venice did not fall below her birth,

 威尼斯的声价无愧于她的身份——

Venice, the eldest Child of Liberty.

她原是自由女神第一个婴孩。 

She was a maiden City, bright and free;

贞淑如处女，明艳而从容自在，

 No guile seduced, no force could violate;

 阴谋和暴力都对她丝毫无损；

 And, when she took unto herself a Mate,

 当她有意为自己找一个情人，

She must espouse the everlasting Sea.

她便选中了万古如斯的大海。 

And what if she had seen those glories fade,

后来呢，她权势衰颓，荣华枯槁，

 Those titles vanish, and that strength decay;

 尊严沦落，谁能料世事茫茫；

Yet shall some tribute of regret be paid

而当她悠长的生命终于不保， 

 When her long life hath reached its final day:

 我们却难免别有一番惆怅：

Men are we, and must grieve when even the Shade

我们是凡人，不能不伤感，当看到

 Of that which once was great is passed away.

 前日的庞然大物，连影子也消亡。