Death-parted friends, and days too swift in flight, Supplanted the whole majesty of Rome (Then first apparent from the Pincian Height) Crowned with St. Peter's everlasting Dome.' III. AT ROME. Is this, ye Gods, the Capitolian Hill? Impelled by thirst of all but Heaven-taught skill. Full oft, our wish obtained, deeply we sigh; Yet not unrecompensed are they who learn, 10 From that depression raised, to mount on high With stronger wing, more clearly to discern Eternal things; and, if need be, defy Change, with a brow not insolent, though stern. IV. AT ROME.-REGRETS.-IN ALLUSION TO NIEBUHR THOSE old credulities, to nature dear, 'Mid a dry desert? What is it we hear? 1 1 See Note. 5 Her morning splendours vanish, and their place Know them no more. If Truth, who veiled her face With those bright beams yet hid it not, must steer Henceforth a humbler course perplexed and slow; One solace yet remains for us who came Into this world in days when story lacked Severe research, that in our hearts we know How, for exciting youth's heroic flame, Assent is power, belief the soul of fact. IO V. CONTINUED. COMPLACENT Fictions were they, yet the same 9 To greet with instant faith their loftiest claim. VI. PLEA FOR THE HISTORIAN. FORBEAR to deem the Chronicler unwise, Who, gathering up all that Time's envious tooth 5 Has spared of sound and grave realities, To vindicate the majesty of truth. IO Such was her office while she walked with men, VII. AT ROME. THEY-who have seen the noble Roman's scorn 5 In one meek smile, beneath a peasant's shed, How patiently the weight of wrong is borne; They--who have heard some learned Patriot treat Of freedom, with mind grasping the whole theme From ancient Rome, downwards through that bright dream Of Commonwealths, each city a starlike seat Of rival glory; they-fallen Italy— Nor must, nor will, nor can, despair of Thee! II Anio's Going Bew-born all things The explor Shrinks from the note as from a mis-time Fand thing, Oft for a holy warning may it serve, Charged with remembrance of his sudden stinfood And yon resplendent Church are proud to be the ark gh we see promise a 'Mid new-born blossoms that soft airs were wooing, While all things present told of joy and love. But restless Fancy left that olive grove To hail the exploratory Bird renewing Hope for the few, who, at the world's undoing, On the great flood were spared to live and move. O bounteous Heaven! signs true as dove and bough Brought to the ark are coming evermore, ven though we seek them not, but, while we plough his sea of life without a visible shore, neither promise ask nor grace implore That alone is ours, the living Now. ed less for bestrown monumen that tot like erceive |