Classic Poem

The Roman orator spoke out
'midst civil war and strife:
'Too long I slumbered, and Rome's night
Has overtaken me upon my journey!'
True! But in parting with Rom's glory
From the Capitoline heights
You watched in all its grandeur
The setting of her bloody sun! . . .
Blessed are they who sojourned here
In this world's fateful hours-
For they were summoned by the angels
As guests to a great feast;
They witnessed spectacles majestic,
Were brought into the inner circle,
And, while there, drank immortal life
From heav'n's own chalice!