The Poetical Works of Aubrey De Vere

De Vere, Aubrey (1814-1902)

VOL. I. THE SEARCH AFTER PROSERPINE

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

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

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VI. THE ORIGIN OF THE TEMPORAL POWER.

For centuries rose the cry from vale and plain
From cities sacked and homesteads black with fire,
‘Where reigned an Empire ruin now doth reign:
Our Emperor sought Byzantium: we expire:

412

The Lombard wrecks the north: pitiless in ire
The Goth devours the south. Fiercer than Cain
The Vandals with the blood of brethren stain
Altar and hearth. Great Pontiff, Roman Sire!
Christ's chief of shepherds for the souls of men
To thee we turn remembering days long since
When camped the Hun beneath the Roman wall—
That day Pope Leo saved us. Save, as then,
That little remnant left! On thee we call:
Thy sons would be thy subjects: be our Prince!’

University of Virginia Library

VI. THE ORIGIN OF THE TEMPORAL POWER.