Florence, gateway to a glorious past,

where creative forces carved and cast

an endowment which will ever last.

 

Florence of glowing Duomo dome,

galleries, palaces, piazzas crowned

with glories past to ever last through

ages gone but still renowned.

 

Divided like ripe fruit by flowing Arno,

where ancient Ponte Vecchio is bound

by narrow streets and alleyways,

and architectural caverns are found.

 

The past is ever present here,

despite what new may come to be.

And through the years shines the light

that first glowed here for all to see.

 

And now, through minds that loved

beyond the scope of will and skill,

the marvels of this age are here

to be appreciated still.

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