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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XXIX. AUSTRIA AND SPAIN.

IL GRAN RIFIUTO.

Austria and Spain, high daughters of a Past
So rich in rites of sage civility,
To Kings so loyal, yet in heart so free,
So true to ancient Faith when Error's blast
O'er the blind North in passionate tempest passed,
So filial to the Apostolic See,
So firm when Unbelief and Anarchy
Down the prone gulfs dragged France so far and fast,
And Nations silent stood:—What Sin, what Fate
What poison froze your blood to stagnant gall
When burst false Piedmont through that Roman gate?
Lament, brave Cid, if souls can weep in heaven!
Crowned Pole, lament! By that strong hand was driven
The earth-conquering Moslem from Vienna's wall!

When John Sobieski, King of Poland, after destroying the Turkish Army encamped around Vienna, made his entrance into the city, the People received him with the shout, ‘There was a man sent from God whose name was John.’

University of Virginia Library

XXIX. AUSTRIA AND SPAIN.

IL GRAN RIFIUTO.