University of Virginia Library

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

Far from his friends, his country, and his home,
Perhaps on that small spot—ay doubtless there—
Some Christian Martyr fell, in one wide stare
Concentrating the myriad gaze of Rome.
Now central stands beneath heaven's mighty dome
The Cross which marks that spot! Stranger, beware!
The Orb of Earth was framed that Cross to bear:
And when, slow-tottering round an Empire's tomb
These walls, within whose grey encincture vast
That Cross for ages stands as in a shrine,
Around their awful guest shall melt at last,
Each stone descending to the earth shall say
‘Empires and Nations crumble: but that Sign
Pre-eminent shall stand, and stand for aye!’