 | Graffiti d'Italia |  |
199
TO FORTUNE.
Oh Goddess! fixed and fair and calm,
That bearest in thy grasp the palm—
That bearest in thy grasp the rod—
Oh voice of Fate! oh smile of God!—
That bearest in thy grasp the palm—
That bearest in thy grasp the rod—
Oh voice of Fate! oh smile of God!—
Be gracious—lend to us thy ear—
Be not too awful, too austere.
Against thy will no power avails;
Without thy aid all struggle fails.
Be not too awful, too austere.
Against thy will no power avails;
Without thy aid all struggle fails.
Stayed by thy hand, no reed so spare
But, column-like, life's weight will bear;
Reft of thy hand our steps to lead,
The brazen shaft is like a reed.
But, column-like, life's weight will bear;
Reft of thy hand our steps to lead,
The brazen shaft is like a reed.
200
Blow but thy breath across the sea,
Our galleys go triumphantly;
Avert thy face, though skies are fair
We sink and founder in despair.
Our galleys go triumphantly;
Avert thy face, though skies are fair
We sink and founder in despair.
Dear Goddess, turn to us thy face!
Not justice we implore, but grace;
Give us what none can win or buy—
Thy godlike gift, prosperity.
Not justice we implore, but grace;
Give us what none can win or buy—
Thy godlike gift, prosperity.
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