Poems (Blagden)/A roman street

by Isa Blagden

A ROMAN STREET.

I.

Tranced in the languid joy of summer noon,
In dreamy calm, I gazed upon the street,
All hushed and still beneath the fervid heat.

II.

Fast throbbed around the deep full heart of June,
As with a halo shone transfigured all
O'er which the lidless eye of heaven did fall.

III.

The fountain glistened as an orient stream,
Each frowning house and sordid wall was bright,
Baptised in beauty by that golden light.

IV.

But with more burnished splendour fell its beam
On yon majestic column vast and prone,
Relic sublime of glorious empires gone!

V.

Their memory returned. I seemed to hear
Once more, the tread of armèd hosts—glad cries—
Barbaric triumphs, clashing victories!

VI.

But soon the vision fled, for crawling near
A skulking spy on vilest task intent,
Passed by, with roving looks and visage bent.

VII.

Cowled and barefooted noiselessly then crept
A bearded monk, with drowsy leering air,
Fingering his beads and muttering his prayer.

VIII.

Beyond, crouched near the fountain, prostrate slept
A beggar lad; pathetic 'mid his torn
And abject rags a crimson rose was worn.

IX.

And still a shadow of the Roman pride,
A stateliness 'mid sorrow, I could trace,
Though soiled and crushed, on his defeatured face.

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?

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."

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.

XIII.

I looked around, the glowing air unstirred
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,

XV.

Diaphanous, with lucent leaves outspread,
And soft pale bloom as if the light and air
Their gentlest, tenderest hues had mingled there.

XVI.

Its fair transparent beauty round it shed
A virgin consecration and a grace
As if a ray of God illumed the place.

XVII.

Docile to law divine this gracious bloom,
Profusely fragrant smiled; its being flowed
In mute unconscious sympathy with God.

XVIII.

Though mean its birthplace and its home,
(I looked around) they could not mar nor shade
That azure breast as Heaven itself arrayed!

XIX.

Pliant, uncramped, unthwarted, fetterless,
Responsive to its Maker's will it grew,
And airs of Paradise around it blew.

XX.

No fresher brighter loveliness could bless
The eyes of Eve in Eden's primal hours,
When, fairest flower, she trod a world of flowers.

XXI.

Glad grew my heart; again all nature smiled,
And soothed, as by maternal fond endeavour,
The sadness of my spirit fled for ever.

XXII.

God! who thus vivifiedst this undefiled
And holy blossom which so pure and sweet
Untainted blushes in the noisome street,

XXIII.

Shed Thou some germ which in these hearts debased
May yield new life, regenerate and expand,
And grow to fulness to redeem their land!

XXIV.

Sprung from that fragile bud, on pinions vast
A mighty mission rose, a promise spoke,
And o'er dark clouds effulgent morning woke.

XXV.
A glorious message in its leaves I read,
As from that Bush whose fire divinely glowed,
And burned in one great heart the Will of God.

XXVI.
That thus a trampled people should be freed—
O God! what dreams of Freedom seemed to roll
With that high thought, like thunders o’er my soul!