Poems (Ripley)/Cicero
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CICERO
A Roman with a golden voice of power!
When thou didst speak, vast multitudes were swayed,
Like to a mighty forest, which is stayed,—
Or, overthrown by mighty winds in the hour
Of storm.—Or thou couldst speak with voice most sweet
Of friendship and of love.—For thou didst know
(Which even death itself couldst not o'er throw)
The blessings of true friends in love complete.
And, too, thou hadst most bitter enemies,
As all must have, who rise to eminence,
Who envied thee and sought to overthrow,
As thou didst stand in Rome's assemblies,
While pouring forth thy golden eloquence,
Which through vast centuries we've come to know.
When thou didst speak, vast multitudes were swayed,
Like to a mighty forest, which is stayed,—
Or, overthrown by mighty winds in the hour
Of storm.—Or thou couldst speak with voice most sweet
Of friendship and of love.—For thou didst know
(Which even death itself couldst not o'er throw)
The blessings of true friends in love complete.
And, too, thou hadst most bitter enemies,
As all must have, who rise to eminence,
Who envied thee and sought to overthrow,
As thou didst stand in Rome's assemblies,
While pouring forth thy golden eloquence,
Which through vast centuries we've come to know.