Genoa and the Mediterranean

Read 'Genoa and the Mediterranean' by 'Thomas Hardy' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

Genoa and the Mediterranean by Thomas Hardy

 O epic-famed, god-haunted Central Sea, 
Heave careless of the deep wrong done to thee 
When from Torino's track I saw thy face first flash on me. 

And multimarbled Genova the Proud, 
Gleam all unconscious how, wide-lipped, up-browed, 
I first beheld thee clad--not as the Beauty but the Dowd. 

Out from a deep-delved way my vision lit 
On housebacks pink, green, ochreous--where a slit 
Shoreward 'twixt row and row revealed the classic blue through it. 

And thereacross waved fishwives' high-hung smocks, 
Chrome kerchiefs, scarlet hose, darned underfrocks; 
Since when too oft my dreams of thee, O Queen, that frippery mocks: 

Whereat I grieve, Superba! . . . Afterhours 
Within Palazzo Doria's orange bowers 
Went far to mend these marrings of thy soul-subliming powers. 

But, Queen, such squalid undress none should see, 
Those dream-endangering eyewounds no more be 
Where lovers first behold thy form in pilgrimage to thee.

Form: Tercet

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