Her eyes in the darkness shone, in the twilight shed br By the gondola bent like the darkness over her head. br Softly the gondola rocked, lights came and went; br A white glove shone as her black fan lifted and leant br Where the silk of her dress, the blue of a bittern's wing, br Rustled against my knee, and, murmuring br The sweet slow hesitant English of a child, br Her voice was articulate laughter, her soul smiled. br Softly the gondola rocked, lights came and went; br From the sleeping houses a shadow of slumber leant br Over our heads like a wing, and the dim lagoon, br Rustling with silence, slumbered under the moon. br Softly the gondola rocked, and a pale light came br Over the waters, mild as a silver flame; br She lay back, thrilling with smiles, in the twilight shed br By the gondola bend like the darkness over her head; br I saw her eyes shine subtly, then close awhile: br I remember her silence, and, in the night, her smile.