Glimpses of Antiquity Being a collection of metrical sketches, in the form of ballads, lyrics, &c., with main reference to mediaeval times or classical subjects. By George F. Preston [i.e. J. B. L. Warren] |
 |
ROMULUS. |
|
 | Glimpses of Antiquity |  |
38
ROMULUS.
Builder's shout and workman's hammer,
Mason's chisel, joiner's strife,—
Thus, 'mid ever-varying clamour,
Springs the new-born town to life.
Mason's chisel, joiner's strife,—
Thus, 'mid ever-varying clamour,
Springs the new-born town to life.
Cranes, with strength of fabled dragons,
Lift the blocks of clean white stone:
Creaks the timber in the waggons,
With a forest's windy moan.
Lift the blocks of clean white stone:
Creaks the timber in the waggons,
With a forest's windy moan.
Here shall rise, in after ages,
Temple, terraced lawn and tower;
And through Heaven-appointed stages,
Rome shall grow in fame and power.
Temple, terraced lawn and tower;
And through Heaven-appointed stages,
Rome shall grow in fame and power.
Brother! would the gods but give thee
Eyes to see the future town,—
Brother! sure thou wouldst forgive me
That sad blow that struck thee down.
Eyes to see the future town,—
39
That sad blow that struck thee down.
Brother! shall thine angry spectre,
Plotting ill to infant Rome,
Leave ambrosial feast, and nectar,—
Leave the heroes' starry home?
Plotting ill to infant Rome,
Leave ambrosial feast, and nectar,—
Leave the heroes' starry home?
Shall not ages of repentance
Give thy tortured manes rest?
Must thy furies fix, in sentence,
Vulture talons at my breast?
Give thy tortured manes rest?
Must thy furies fix, in sentence,
Vulture talons at my breast?
Surely as the gods had fated,
Wove the sisters three thy fall:
Here twain monarchs had created
Anarchy that marreth all.
Wove the sisters three thy fall:
Here twain monarchs had created
Anarchy that marreth all.
Who can stem the wintry Tiber!
Who can lull the wintry breeze?
Frail all human strength and fibre,
When opposed to Jove's decrees.
Who can lull the wintry breeze?
Frail all human strength and fibre,
When opposed to Jove's decrees.
40
First of gods, primeval Saturn,
On his new-born offspring preys;
Legend quaint, of antique pattern,—
Meaning, Time begets, but slays.
On his new-born offspring preys;
Legend quaint, of antique pattern,—
Meaning, Time begets, but slays.
Time must come, when death must vanquish,
Little reck we how we go,—
Whether by disease, long anguish,
Or some quick and fatal blow,
Little reck we how we go,—
Whether by disease, long anguish,
Or some quick and fatal blow,
Men will link our names together,
Authors of this great design,
Thou hast rest and cloudless weather;
But a stormcast life is mine,—
Authors of this great design,
Thou hast rest and cloudless weather;
But a stormcast life is mine,—
Toiling till my head grow hoary,
Thick beset by jealous foes.
Brother! thine is half the glory,—
How I envy thy repose!
Thick beset by jealous foes.
Brother! thine is half the glory,—
How I envy thy repose!
| Glimpses of Antiquity | |