University of Virginia Library

V.

So those two came to the Romans that called them, and laboured to lay
Foundations of order and freedom and works of the dawn and the day.
But a cry from the powers of darkness rose straightway of anger and fear,
When they saw on the Seven Hills the dreaded morn drawing near;
When they saw in Rome, as in Venice, a generous order and just
Bringing life to the places of tombs and raising the dead from the dust.
Then the kings and the rulers stood up, and each unto each in affright
Cried with a shrill lamentation, ‘Woe, woe for the terrible light!
Shall our sentence at last go forth where least we looked for our fate?
Shall Rome that was sworn to our service arise and baffle our hate?’
Three armies gathered to battle, to fight against freedom and Rome,
One from the slave-house of Austria, from tyranny's long-vext home
(Croats and Germans and Huns driven on to slay and be slain),
And one from the Bourbon of Naples, and one from the Bourbon of Spain.
Who then should be found Rome's helper of all the peoples of earth?
Who, said she, but surely my sister, but France, where already has birth
A republic of happier omen, more wise with the wisdom of years
Than that other whose splendour was sullied with slaughter and terror and tears,
Then quenched in the clutch of a tyrant; but this should be surely more bright,
More gentle, more sane and courageous, more constant to dare for the right.
So Rome in her phantasy dreamed, and knew not the horror that hung
O'er the hopes of the people of France; for around their republic there clung,
As a swarm of poisonous vermin, a sordid and traitorous crew
Leagued in a league of liars to murder the just and the true.
Not yet could they rule at their pleasure, but grievously weighed on the land,
Stifling her voice of acclaim and withholding her generous hand
That fain would have welcomed her sister; but now she stood sullen and dumb,
Choked by the brood on her breast: but a worse thing still was to come.