a roman street.
157
X.
"The beggar, priest, and spy, dare these," I sighed,
"Wear with unblushing front the Roman name
And claim as theirs, this heritage of fame?
"Wear with unblushing front the Roman name
And claim as theirs, this heritage of fame?
XI.
"Type of their faith, yon droning monk—their law,
The spy—and for a people, yon poor slave,
Bankrupt in all life's gifts but one, the grave."
The spy—and for a people, yon poor slave,
Bankrupt in all life's gifts but one, the grave."
XII.
I felt the iron in my soul—I saw
No more the radiance that but now had been;
The heart's content had vanished from the scene.
No more the radiance that but now had been;
The heart's content had vanished from the scene.
XIII.
I looked around, the glowing air unstirred
O'er all a naked truth revealing cast,
And mocked the Present mirrored in the Past.
O'er all a naked truth revealing cast,
And mocked the Present mirrored in the Past.
XIV.
And was this all? Ah, no! for like a bird,
Bright winged within its cage, I saw a flower
Which o'er barred casements twined its sumptuous dower,
Bright winged within its cage, I saw a flower
Which o'er barred casements twined its sumptuous dower,
