Roman Pearls! Not pearls at all!
Are they worth the taking home?
Fragile toys, unfit to call
By the name of pearls and Rome.

Yet they bear Rome's name, at least.
Ye who may not plumb the seas
For pearls of price to deck your feast
Well may take delight in these.

See; one is like a tear new-shed;
One is blue: a true-love token;
One is glowing ruby-red,—
What's the stain when hearts are broken?

Here I linger at your gate.
Buy, Oh, buy the wares I bring;
For old Rome, so gray, so great,
Lends her name to what I sing.