Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition

Urbs Sacra Æterna (Author: Oscar Wilde)

p.143

1. • 1] ROME! what a scroll of History thine has been;
     2] In the first days thy sword republican
     3] Ruled the whole world for many an age's span:
     4] Then of the peoples wert thou royal Queen,
     5] Till in thy streets the bearded Goth was seen;
     6] And now upon thy walls the breezes fan
     7] (Ah, city crowned by God, discrowned by man!)
     8] The hated flag of red and white and green.
   • 9] When was thy glory! when in search for power
     10] Thine eagles flew to greet the double sun,
     11] And the wild nations trembled at thy rod?
     12] Nay, but thy glory tarried for this hour,
     13] When pilgrims kneel before the Holy One,
     14] The prisoned shepherd of the Church of God.

   MONTE MARIO