Little gem of all-but-islands and of islands, Sirmio,
Whether set in landlocked waters, or in Ocean’s freer flow –
Oh the pleasant seeing of thee, bright as ever-there below-
Far behind me, to the Northward, lie the dreamy lands of snow.
Oh the hour of mad rejoicing, oh the sweet good-bye to woe
As with quiet soul aweary of world-wandering to and fro
In we hurry through the doorway of our home of long ago....
Hail then, hail! Thy master welcome, welcome him sweet Sirmio,
Leap for joy, ye tumbling waters, winking at the summer’s glow,
Gaily through the house resounding, let the peals of laughter go.
1901-04
The narrow peninsula of Sirmione (ancient Sirmio), jutting out into Lake Garda amidst the southern Alps, has been a beauty spot and tourist resort since ancient times.
The Roman poet Catullus was especially fond of "his Sirmio". A number of great poets have written about Sirmione, including Catullus, James Elroy Flecker, Thomas Hardy and Alfred Lord Tennyson. All their Sirmione poems are to be found on Poetry Atlas.