 | In Cornwall and Across the Sea |  |
135
CARTHAGE.
Written Abreast of Carthage.
At sunset we left Malta. Ere noon fell
We passed Cape Bon, a lofty-crested cape
Blue in the morn but indistinct in shape
Scarce known itself, but who hath not heard tell
Of Carthage? what high heart but loves it well?
And Carthage lay behind the water-scape,
Carthage still eloquent of Dido's rape,
Hannibal's vow and Hanno's citadel.
My heart was stirred to think that where we sailed,
Punic and Roman triremes oft had clashed,
Until the youngest Scipio prevailed,
And on one evil day to ruin crashed
The glorious fabric reared by Tyrian hands
With sea-borne spoil from all discovered lands.
| In Cornwall and Across the Sea | |