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University of Virginia Library

The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere

De Vere, Aubrey (1814-1902)

I.

VOL. I. THE SEARCH AFTER PROSERPINE

II.

III.

IV.

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V.

“THE IRISH SISTERS.”

SONNETS BY THE LATE HON STEPHEN E. SPRING RICE.

POEMS FOR THE MOST PART CONNECTED WITH THE GREAT IRISH FAMINE, 1846—1849.

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I.

I. ST. PETER'S BY MOONLIGHT.

II.

II. PONTIFIC MASS IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL.

III.

III. THE PILLAR OF TRAJAN.

IV.

IV. THE ARCH OF TITUS.

V.

V. THE CAMPAGNA SEEN FROM ST. JOHN LATERAN.

VI.

VI. BIRDS IN THE BATHS OF DIOCLETIAN.

VII.

VII. THE ‘MISERERE’ IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL.

VIII.

VIII. THE ‘MISERERE’ IN THE SISTINE CHAPEL.

IX.

IX. THE MONUMENTS OF QUEEN CHRISTINA OF SWEDEN AND THE COUNTESS MATILDA IN ST. PETER'S.

X.

X. THE CATACOMBS.

XI.

XI. THE APPIAN WAY.

XII.

XII. ON THE CROSS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE COLISEUM.

XIII.

XIII. THE FOUNTAIN OF EGERIA.

XIV.

XIV. THE GRAVES OF TIRCONNEL AND TYRONE ON SAN PIETRO, IN MONTORIO.

XV.

XV. TO THE PILLAR THAT STANDS BESIDE THE HIGH ALTAR AT ‘ST. PAUL'S OUTSIDE THE WALLS,’ ROME.

SAINT PETER'S CHAINS;

VI.

VOL. VI. LEGENDS AND RECORDS OF THE CHURCH AND THE EMPIRE

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397

X. THE CATACOMBS.

Whoever seeks for penitential days
And vows that fitly on such days attend
A region apt, his wanderings here may end:
These caverns, winding in sepulchral maze
Are stronger than the desert's loneliest ways
Thoughts meek and sad with lofty thoughts to blend:—
Descend, great Pontiff! Sovran Priest, descend!
Let all the Princes of the Church upraise
With annual rites their sceptres here to God!
Kings of the nations, purpling those strange glooms
With robes imperial on your faces sink
Sink, and be saved, in those dread catacombs!
And deeply of the inspiring incense drink
That rises from the dust the Martyrs trod!