XLV. Who knows not Nero, he whose lyre was strung, Here, fate-like falling, shadowed Carthage' doom: Who wresting victory from her, broke the charm Of him whose name filled Rome with ever-waked alarm. XLVI. Here in her toils were Afric's legions led, The scales of empire turned with victory: XLVII. Onward we pass: a vein-like rivulet Glides gushingly along, whose azure threads The steed slow wading through its pebbled beds: Its name hath passed a household word with men,' Moral for him who late or early treads Life's fortunate path: who grasps that moment when The good or ill are offered, ne'er to come again : XLVIII. Which leads to sunny happiness, or fame, An ever-varying Proteus, the unreined XLIX. With an unsettled eye and brow perturbed Rose from that stream, her mandate to enforce; The infinite of thought within its limit won. L. Here Cæsar paused, the working influence Strove here for mastery, the balance hung Strength, faith, hope, confidence behind him clung, Before, his foe's cold smile, pride conquered, and he sprung. LI. For oh! what loves or human memories slaked, Thine was of purer essence, to be first Thy aim: Rome was not by thy tyranny cursed, She loved, yet marvelled at thee: and the fear Of thy dread eagles which by victory nursed, Came, saw, and conquered, vanished when more near, For thy unbroken faith taught foemen to revere. LII. Thou wert Rome's sacrifice, her greatest, last: But who on thy bald laurelled brow could look, Nor fear the heights ambition might attain? Hate struck, the blow for freedom's he mistook : But thou didst leave, on thy own altar slain, A warning to earth's tyrants rendered not in vain. LIII. For thou wert stamped by Nature one of those To be the first, the world's sole oracle, Its grand but misdirected energy; For when thy least wish fortune did fulfil, What respite gave it thee, thou man of restless will? LIV. And thou, Ariminum! wert first to hail The immortal rebel on his march, when sprang Thy citizens from morning slumbers pale, As the shrill trumpets through thy forum rang! The wild shouts of the soldiery, the clang Of arms and shielded o'er his legion's tide, Cæsar enthroned, forgot remorse's pang: His brow inflamed with mingled wrath and pride, Rising like War let loose with Até by his side. LV. The passionate harangue, the answering wrath, Wrung from the fierce excitement of the hour: The cohorts rushing on in their wild path, Whose rage is reason and whose law is power! The consciousness of dangers such as lower O'er him who dares against his country rear The rebel's standard, cursed alike his dower, Failure, or triumph; vengeance, hate, and fear, Passion's wild elements met in warring chaos here. LVI. And now a northern wanderer from that isle To climb the toilsome steep, and crush unworthy fears. LVII. Thou glorious Adriatic! do I gaze On thee, bright dream of boyhood, fount-like springs Again pure memories of classic days When thou didst fill the heart's imaginings; |