Classic Poem

I.

Imperial City! I have dreamed of thee
Through long — long years, — since when in early prime,
I traced, with heart deep stirred, thy history
Of men heroic, and of deeds sublime:
Thy storied names, which on the scroll of time,
But gather brightness with the flight of years;
Or — if all stained with tyranny and crime,
With blood of slaughtered innocence and tears
Of bitter agony — but blacker grow,
As grows the detestation of mankind;
Around thy Tiber, have availed to throw,
And o'er thy hills, where sits decay enshrined,
A spell that warmed my soul with classic fire,
And waked, to see thee, restless, keen desire!

II.

And I have seen thee! — And my feet have trod
Among thy crumbling glories; climbed the height
Of thy famed Capitol, where erst thy god,
Great Jupiter, enthroned in awful might,
His dwelling kept; whither old warriors came
With pomp and triumph from the field well won,
To bring their trophies, and to light the flame
Upon his altar; forth when day was done,
My steps have strayed to see the moon-light fall
Where ivies o'er the Coliseum creep,
And mark the shadows by the ruined wall
Where dwelt the Caesars, dark and lonely sleep!
Henceforth 'tis memory all — the dream is o'er;
Rome — fare thee well — I muse on thee no more!