by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)
The old bridge at Florence
Language: English
Taddeo Gaddi built me. I am old, Five centuries old. I plant my foot of stone Upon the Arno, as St. Michael's own Was planted on the dragon. Fold by fold Beneath me as it struggles. I behold Its glistening scales. Twice hath it overthrown My kindred and companions. Me alone It moveth not, but is by me controlled. I can remember when the Medici Were driven from Florence; longer still ago The final wars of Ghibelline and Guelf. Florence adorns me with her jewelry; And when I think that Michael Angelo Hath leaned on me, I glory in myself.
Text Authorship:
- by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882), "The old bridge at Florence", appears in Masque of Pandora and Other Poems, first published 1875 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by (James) Albert Mallinson (1870 - 1946), "The old bridge at Florence", published 1922. [voice and piano] [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-20
Line count: 14
Word count: 100