To the Editors:

Although it is rumored

The city of Medici

Washes away,

As we read in the Times

Of the “worst disaster”

Of seven centuries;

As we hear that annals

Of Cosimo’s days

Lie deeply buried;

As we learn that

Gentle Angelicoes

Are somewhere drowning;

Although it is rumored

The city of Medici

Washes away,

Still we may dream

Of exiled Dante

Holding the city in mind.

Mark Schorr

Cambridge, Massachusetts

This Issue

December 29, 1966