Rio At Sunset

The glorious sun now darts his setting beams
On Rio's palaces, conventos, spires
And batteries. The Imperial city gleams,
Richly illumined with triumphal fires.
Like one great sea of dazzling light it seems;
Or field of pearly dew when Night retires
At the day's dawn! I love to view thy towers,
Fair City of the West, these evening hours.
And when San Bento's bell tolls the day past,
And all is still save where the negro band
Toil joyless at the oar, when the hills cast
Their long dark shadows on the water, and
All o'er the deck the dew is falling fast,
I love amid thy grove of masts to stand
Thoughtful! England, O then I think of thee,
I would not live and reign a Portuguee!