THERUINSofROME.APOEM.BytheSame.Aspicemurorummoles,praeruptaquesaxa,Obrutaqueborrentivastatheatrasitu:HaecsuntRoma.Viden'velutipsacadaveratantaeUrbisadhucspirentimperiosaminas?JanusVitalis.Janus Vitalis, Roma Prisca (Romanae Ecclesiae Elogia, 1552).
ENOUGHofGrongar,andtheshadydalesOfwindingTowy,Merlin'sfabledhaunt,Isunginglorious.Nowtheloveofarts,AndwhatinmetalorinstoneremainsOfproudantiquity,thro'variousrealmsAndvariouslanguagesandagesfam'd,Bearsmeremote,o'erGallia'swoodybounds,O'erthecloud-piercingAlpsremote;beyondThevaleofArnopurpledwiththevine,BeyondtheUmbrianandEtruscanhills,ToLatium'swidechampain,forlornandwaste,WhereyellowTiberhisneglectedwaveMournfullyrolls.Yetonceagain,myMuse,Yetonceagain,andsoaraloftierflight;Lotheresistlesstheme,imperialRome.Fall'n,fall'n,asilentheap;herheroesallSunkintheirurns;beholdtheprideofpomp,Thethroneofnationsfall'n;obscureindust;Ev'nyetmajestical;thesolemnsceneElatesthesoul,whilenowtherisingsunFlamesontheruinsinthepurerairTow'ringaloft,upontheglitt'ringplain,Likebrokenrocks,avastcircumference;Rentpalaces,crush'dcolumns,riftedmoles,Fanesroll'donfanes,andtombsonburiedtombs.DeepliesindusttheThebanobelisc,Immensealongthewaste;minuterart,Gliconianforms,orPhidian,subtlyfair,O'erwhelming;asth'immenseLEVIATHANThefinnybrood,whennearIerne'sshoreOut-stretch'd,unwieldly,hisislandlengthappearsAbovethefoamyflood.Globoseandhuge,Grey-mould'ringtemplesswell,andwideo'ercastThesolitarylandskape,hillsandwoods,Andboundlesswilds;whilethevine-mantledbrowsThependentgoatsunveil,regardlesstheyOfhourlyperil,thoughtheclefteddomesTrembletoeverywind.ThepilgrimoftAtdeadofnight,'midhisoraisonhearsAghastthevoiceoftime,dispartingtow'rs,Tumblingallprecipitatedown-dash'd,Rattlingaround,loudthund'ringtothemoon:WhilemurmurssootheachawefulintervalOfever-fallingwaters;shroudedNileFountainsatRomeadornedwiththestatuesofthoserivers.,Eridanus,andTiberwithhistwins,AndpalmyEuphrates;theywithdroppinglocks,Hango'ertheirurns,andmournfullyamongTheplaintive-echoingruinspourtheirstreams.Yethereadvent'rousinthesacredsearchOfancientarts,thedelicateofmind,Curiousandmodest,fromallclimesresort,Gratefulsociety!withtheseIraiseThetoilsomestepuptheproudPalatin,Throughspirycypressgroves,andtow'ringpine,Wavingalofto'erthebigruinsbrows,Onnum'rousarchesrear'd:andfrequentstopp'd,Thesunkgroundstartlesmewithdreadfulchasm,BreathingforthdarknessfromthevastprofoundOfislesandhalls,withinthemountain'swomb.Northesethenetherworks;allthesebeneath,Andallbeneaththevalesandhillsaround,Extendthecavern'dsewers,massy,firm,AstheSibylinegrotbesidethedeadLakeofAvernus;suchthesewershuge,WhitherthegreatTarquiniangeniusdoomsEachwaveimpure;andproudwithaddedrains,Harkhowthemightybillowslashtheirvaults,Andthunder;howtheyheavetheirrocksinvain!ThoughnowincessantTimehasroll'daroundAthousandwinterso'erthechangefulworld,Andyetathousandsince,th'indignantfloodsRoarloudintheirfirmbounds,anddashandswell,Invain;convey'dtoTiber'slowestwave.Henceoverairyplains,bycrystalfounts,Thatweavetheirglitt'ringwaveswithtunefullapse,Amongthesleekypebbles,agateclear,Ceruleanophite,andtheflow'ryveinOforientjasper,pleas'dImovealong,Andvasesboss'd,andhugeinscriptivestones,Andinterminglingvines;andfigur'dnymphs,Flora'sandChloe'sofdeliciousmould,Cheeringthedarkness;anddeepemptytombs,Anddells,andmould'ringshrines,witholddecayRustickandgreenandwide-embow'ringshades,Shotfromthecrookedcleftsofnoddingtow'rs;Asolemnwilderness!Witherrorsweet,Iwindtheling'ringstep,where-e'erthepathMazyconductsme,whichthevulgarfootO'ersculpturesmaim'dhasmade;Anubis,Sphinx,Idolsofantiqueguise,andhornedPan,Terrifick,monstrousshapes!propost'rousgods,OfFearandIgn'rance,bythesculptor'shandHewnintoform,andworship'd;asev'nnowBlindlytheyworshipattheirbreathlessmouthsSeveralstatuesofthePagangodshavebeenconvertedintoimagesofsaints.Invariedappellations:mentothese(Fromdepthtodepthindark'ningerrorfall'n)Atlengthascrib'dth'INAPPLICABLENAME.HowdothitpleaseandfillthememoryWithdeedsofbraverenown,whileoneachhandHistorickurnsandbreathingstatuesrise,Andspeakingbusts!SweetScipio,Mariusstern,Pompeysuperb,thespirit-stirringformOfCaesarraptur'dwiththecharmofruleAndboundlessfame;impatientforexploits,Hiseagereyesupcast,hesoarsinthoughtAboveallheight:andhisownBrutussee,DespondingBrutus,dubiousoftheright,Inevildays,offaith,ofpublickwealSolicitousandsad.ThynextregardBeTully'sgracefulattitude;uprais'd,Hisout-stretch'darmhewaves,inacttospeakBeforethesilentmastersoftheworld,Andeloquencearrayshim.TherebeholdPrepar'dforcombatinthefrontofwarThepiousbrothers;jealousAlbastandsInfearfulexpectationofthestrife,AndyouthfulRomeintent:thekindredfoesFalloneachother'sneckinsilenttears;Insorrowfulbenevolenceembrace—Howe'ertheysoonunsheaththeflashingsword,Theircountrycallstoarms,nowallinvainThemotherclaspstheknee,andev'nthefairNowweepsinvain;theircountrycallstoarms.SuchvirtueClelia,Cocles,Manlius,rous'd;SuchweretheFabii,Decii;soinspir'dTheScipio'sbattled,andtheGracchispoke:SorosetheRomanstate.Menow,oftheseDeep-musing,highambitiousthoughtsinflameGreatlytoservemycountry,distantland,Andbuildmevirtuousfame;norshallthedustOfthesefall'npileswithshewofsaddecayAvertthegoodresolve,meanargument,Thefatealoneofmatter.—NowthebrowWegainenraptur'd;beauteouslydistinctFromthePalatinhilloneseesmostoftheremarkableantiquities.Thenum'rousportico'sanddomesupswell,Withobeliscsandcolumnsinterpos'd,Andpine,andfir,andoak:sofairasceneSeesnotthedervisefromthespiraltombOfancientChammos,whilehiseyebeholdsProudMemphis'reliqueso'erth'Aegyptianplain:NorhoaryhermitfromHymettus'brow,ThoughgracefulAthens,inthevalebeneath.AlongthewindingsoftheMuse'sstream,LucidIlyssus,weepshersilentschools,Andgroves,unvisitedbybardorsage.Amidthetow'ryruins,huge,supreme,Th'enormousamphitheatrebehold,Mountainouspile!o'erwhosecapaciouswombPoursthebroadfirmamentitsvariedlight;WhilefromthecentralfloortheseatsascendRoundaboveround,slow-wid'ningtotheverge,Acircuitvastandhigh;norlesshadheldImperialRome,andherattendantrealms,Whendrunkwithruleshewill'dthefiercedelight,Andop'dthegloomycaverns,whenceout-rush'dBeforeth'innumerableshoutingcrowdThefiery,madded,tyrantsofthewilds,Lionsandtygers,wolvesandelephants,Anddesp'ratemen,morefell.Abhorr'dintent!Byfrequentconversewithfamiliardeath,Tokindlebrutaldaringaptforwar;Tolockthebreast,andsteelth'obdurateheart,AmidthepiercingcriesofsoredistressImpenetrable.—Butawaythineeye;Beholdyonsteepycliff;themodernpilePerchancemaynowdelight,whilethatrever'dTheCapitol.Inancientdays,thepagealonedeclares,Ornarrowcointhroughdimcaeruleanrust.ThefanewasJOVE'S,itsspaciousgoldenroof,O'erthick-surroundingtemplesbeamingwide,Appear'd,aswhenabovethemorninghillsHalftheroundsunascends;andtow'r'daloft,Sustain'dbycolumnshuge,innumerousAscedarsproudonCanaan'sverdantheightsDark'ningtheiridols,whenAstartelur'dTooprosp'rousIsraelfromhislivingstrength.Andnextregardyonvenerabledome,WhichvirtuousLatium,witherroneousaim,Rais'dtohervariousdeities,andnam'dPantheon;plainandround;ofthisourworldMajestickemblem;withpeculiargrace,Beforeitsampleorb,projectedstandsThemany-pillar'dportal;noblestworkOfhumanskill,here,curiousarchitect,Ifthouassay'st,ambitious,tosurpassPalladius,Angelus,orBritishJones,Onthesefairwallsextendthecertainscale,Andturnth'instructivecompass:carefulmarkHowfarinhiddenart,thenobleplainExtends,andwherethelovelyformscommenceOfflowingsculpture:norneglecttonoteHowrangethetapercolumns,andwhatweightTheirleafybrowssustain:fairCorinthfirstBoastedtheirorderwhichCallimachus(RecliningstudiousonAsopus'banksBeneathanurnofsomelamentednymph)Haplycompos'd;theurnwithfoliagecurl'dThinlyconceal'd,thechapiterinform'd.SeethetallobeliscsfromMemphisold,Onestoneenormouseach,orThebesconvey'd;LikeAlbion'sspirestheyrushintotheskies.Andtherethetemple,wherethesummon'dstateThetempleofConcord,wherethesenatemetonCatiline'sconspiracy.Indeepofnightconven'd:ev'nyetmethinksTheveh'mentoratorinrentattirePersuasionpours,ambitionsinkshercrest;Andlothevillain,likeatroubledsea,Thattossesuphermire!Everdisguis'd,Shalltreasonwalk?shallproudoppressionyokeTheneckofvirtue?Lothewretchabash'd;Self-betray'dCatiline!OLiberty,Parentofhappiness,celestialborn;Whenthefirstmanbecamealivingsoul,Hissacredgeniusthou;beBritain'scare;Withhersecure,prolongthylov'dretreat;Thenceblessmankind;whileyetamonghersons,Ev'nyetthereare,toshieldthineequallaws,WhosebosomskindleatthesacrednamesOfCecil,Raleigh,Walsingham,andDrake.Mayothersmoredelightintunefulairs;Inmasqueanddanceexcell;tosculptur'dstoneGivewithsuperiorskillthelivinglook;Morepompouspileserect,orpencilsoftWithwarmertouchthevisionaryboard:Bethou,thynoblerBritonsteachtorule;Tochecktheravageoftyrannicksway;Toquelltheproud;tospreadthejoysofpeaceAndvariousblessingsofingenioustrade.Betheseourarts;andevermayweguard,Everdefendtheewithundauntedheart,Inestimablegood!whogiv'stusTruth,Whosehandupleadstolight,divinestTruth,Array'dinev'rycharm:whosehandbenignTeachesunweariedtoiltocloaththefields,AndonhisvariousfruitsinscribesthenameOfProperty:Onoblyhail'dofoldBythymajestickdaughters,Judahfair,AndTyrusandSidonia,lovelynymphs,AndLibyabright,andall-enchantingGreece,Whosenum'roustownsandisles,andpeopledseas,Rejoic'daroundherlyre;th'heroicnote(Smitwithsublimedelight)Ausoniacaught,Andplan'dimperialRome.ThyhandbenignRear'duphertow'rybattlementsinstrength;Bentherwidebridgeso'ertheswellingstreamOfTuscanTiber;thinethosesolemndomesDevotedtothevoiceofhumblepray'r;Andthinethosepilesundeck'd,capacious,vastThepublickgranaries.Indaysofdearth,wheretenderCharityDispens'dhertimelysuccourstothepoor.Thinetoothosemusically-fallingfountsToslaketheclammylip;adowntheyfall,Musicalever;whilefromyonbluehillsDimintheclouds,theradiantaqueductsTurntheirinnumerablearcheso'erThespaciousdesert,bright'ninginthesun,Proudandmoreproud,intheiraugustapproach:Higho'erirriguousvalesandwoodsandtowns,Glidethesoftwhisperingwatersinthewind,AndhereunitedpourtheirsilverstreamsAmongthefigur'drocks,inmurm'ringfalls,Musicalever.Thesethybeauteousworks:AndwhatbesidefelicitycouldtellOfhumanbenefit:morelatetherest;Atvarioustimestheirturretschanc'dtorise,Whenimpioustyrannyvouchsaf'dtosmile.BeholdbyTiber'sflood,wheremodernRomeModernRomestandschieflyontheoldCampusMartius.Couchesbeneaththeruins:thereofoldWitharmsandtrophiesgleam'dthefieldofMars:TheretotheirdailysportsthenobleyouthRush'demulous;toflingthepointedlance;Tovaultthesteed;orwiththekindlingwheelIndustywhirlwindssweepthetremblinggoal;Orwrestling,copewithadverseswellingbreasts,Strong,grapplingarms,clos'dheads,anddistantfeet;Orclashtheliftedgauntlets:theretheyform'dTheirardentvirtues:lothebossypiles,Theproudtriumphalarches;alltheirwars,Theirconquests,honours,inthesculptureslive.Andseefromeverygatethoseancientroads,Withtombshigh-verg'd,thesolemnpathsofFame:Deservetheynotregard?O'erwhosebroadflintsSuchcrowdshaveroll'd,somanystormsofwar;Suchtrainsofconsuls,tribunes,sages,kings;Somanypomps;somanywond'ringrealms:Yetstillthroughmountainspierc'd,o'ervalliesrais'd,Inevenstate,todistantseasaround,Theystretchtheirpavements.LothefaneofPeace,Builtbythatprince,whotothetrustofpow'rBegunbyVespasian,andfinishedbyTitus.Washonest,thedelightofhumankind.Threenoddingislesremain;therestanheapOfsandandweeds;hershrines,herradiantroofsAndcolumnsproud,thatfromherspaciousfloor,Asfromashiningsea,majestickroseAnhundredfootaloft,likestatelybeechAroundthebrimofDion'sglassylake,Charmingthemimickpainter:onthewallsHungSalem'ssacredspoils;thegoldenboard,Andgoldentrumpets,nowconceal'd,entomb'dBythesunkroof.—O'erwhichindistantviewTh'Etruscanmountainsswell,withruinscrown'dOfancienttowns;andblueSoractespires,Wrappinghissidesintempests.Eastwardhence,NighwheretheCestianpyramiddividesThetombofCestius,partlywithin,andpartlywithoutthewalls.Themould'ringwall,beholdyonfabrickhuge,Whosedustthesolemnantiquarianturns,Andthenceinbrokensculpturescastabroad,LikeSybil'sleaves,collectsthebuilder'snameRejoic'd,andthegreenmedalsfrequentfoundDoomCaracallatoperpetualfame:Thestatelypines,thatspreadtheirbrancheswideInthedunruinsofitsamplehalls,ThebathsofCaracalla,avastruin.Appearbuttufts;asmaywhate'erishighSinkincomparison,minuteandvile.These,andunnumber'd,yettheirbrowsuplift,Rentoftheirgraces;asBritannia'soaksOnMerlin'smount,orSnowden'sruggedsides,Standintheclouds,theirbranchesscatter'dround,Afterthetempest;Mausoleums,Cirques,Naumachios,Forums;Trajan'scolumntall,Fromwhoselowbasethesculptureswindaloft,Andleadthroughvarioustoils,uptheroughsteep,Itsherototheskies:andhisdarktow'rNero's.Whoseexecrablehandthecityfir'd,Andwhilethedreadfulconflagrationblaz'd,Play'dtotheflames;andPhoebus'letter'ddome;ThePalatinlibrary.AndtheroughreliquesofCarinae'sstreet,WherenowtheshepherdtohisnibblingsheepSitspipingwithhisoatenreed;aserstTherepip'dtheshepherdtohisnibblingsheep,Whenth'humbleroofAnchises'sonexplor'dOfgoodEvander,wealth-despisingking,Amidthethickets:sorevolvesthescene;Sotimeordains,whorollsthethingsofprideFromdustagaintodust.BeholdthatheapOfmould'ringurns(theirashesblownaway,Dustofthemighty)thesamestorytell;Andatitsbase,fromwhencetheserpentglidesDownthegreendesertstreet,yonhoarymonkLamentsthesame,thevisionasheviews,Thesolitary,silent,solemnscene,WhereCaesars,heroes,peasants,hermitslie,Blendedindusttogether;wheretheslaveRestsfromhislabours;whereth'insultingproudResignshispow'r;themiserdropshishoard;Wherehumanfollysleeps.—Thereisamood,(Isingnottothevacantandtheyoung)Thereisakindlymoodofmelancholy,Thatwingsthesoul,andpointshertotheskies;Whentribulationcloathsthechildofman,Whenagedescendswithsorrowtothegrave,'Tissweetly-soothingsympathytopain,Agentlywak'ningcalltohealthandease.Howmusical!whenall-devouringTime,Heresittingonhisthroneofruinshoar,Whilewindsandtempestssweephisvariouslyre,Howsweetthydiapason,Melancholy!Coolev'ningcomes;thesettingsundisplaysHisvisiblegreatroundbetweenyontow'rs,Asthroughtwoshadycliffs;away,myMuse,Thoughyettheprospectpleases,evernewInvastvariety,andyetdelightThemany-figur'dsculpturesofthepathHalfbeauteous,halfeffac'd;thetravellerSuchantiquemarblestohisnativelandOfthenceconveys;andev'ryrealmandstateWithRome'saugustremains,heroesandgods,Decktheirlonggalleriesandwindinggroves;Yetmisswenotth'innumerablethefts,Yetstillprofuseofgracesteemsthewaste.Sufficeitnowth'EsquilianmounttoreachWithwearywing,andseekthesacredrestsOfMaro'shumbletenement;alowPlainwallremains;alittlesun-giltheap,Grotesqueandwild;thegourdandolivebrownWeavethelightroof;thegourdandolivefanTheiram'rousfoliage,minglingwiththevine,Whodropsherpurpleclustersthroughthegreen.Hereletmelie,withpleasingfancysooth'd:Hereflow'dhisfountain;herehislaurelsgrew;Hereoftthemeekgoodman,theloftybardFram'dthecelestialsong,orsocialwalk'dWithHoraceandtheruleroftheworld;HappyAugustus!whosowellinspir'dCould'stthrowthypompsandroyaltiesaside,Attentivetothewise,thegreatofsoul,Anddignifythymind.Thricegloriousdays,AuspicioustotheMuses!thenrever'd,Thenhallow'dwasthefount,orsecretshade,Oropenmountain,orwhateversceneThepoetchosetotuneth'ennoblingrhimeMelodious;ev'ntheruggedsonsofwar,Ev'ntherudehindsrever'dthePoet'sname:Butnow—anotherage,alas!isours—YetwilltheMusealittlelongersoar,Unlessthecloudsofcareweighdownherwing,Sincenature'sstoresareshutwithcruelhand,Andeachaggrieveshisbrother;sinceinvainThethirstypilgrimatthefountainasksTh'o'erflowingwave—Enough—theplaintdisdain.—See'stthouyonfane?ev'nnowincessanttimeThetempleofRomulusandRemusundermountPalatin.Sweepsherlowmould'ringmarblestothedust;AndPhoebus'temple,noddingwithitswoodsThreatenshugeruino'erthesmallrotund.'Twastherebeneathafig-tree'sumbragebroad,Th'astonish'dswainswithrev'rendawebeheldThee,OQuirinus,andthybrother-twin,Pressingtheteatwithinamonster'sgraspSportive;whileoftthegauntandruggedwolfTurn'dherstretch'dneckandform'dyourtenderlimbs:SotaughtofJove,ev'nthefellsavagefedYoursacredinfancies,yourvirtues,toils,Theconquests,glories,ofth'Ausonianstate,Wrapp'dintheirsecretseeds.Eachkindredsoul,Robustandstout,yegrappletoyourhearts,AndlittleRomeappears.Hercotsarise,Greentwigsofosierweavetheslenderwalls,Greenrushesspreadtheroofs;andhereandthereOpensbeneaththerockthegloomycave.ElatewithjoyEtruscanTiberviewsHerspreadingscenesenamellinghiswaves,Herhutsandhollowdells,andflocksandherds,Andgath'ringswains;androllshisyellowcarToNeptune'scourtwithmoremajesticktrain.Herspeedygrowthalarm'dthestatesaroundJealous,yetsoonbywond'rousvirtuewon,Theysinkintoherbosom.FromtheploughRoseherdictators;fought,o'ercame,return'd,Yes,totheploughreturn'd,andhail'dtheirpeers;Forthennoprivatepomp,nohousholdstate,Thepublickonlyswell'dthegen'rousbreast.WhohasnotheardtheFabianheroessung?Dentatus'scars,orMutius'flaminghand?HowManliussav'dtheCapitol?thechoiceOfsteadyRegulus?Asyettheystood,Simpleoflife;asyetseducingwealthWasunexplor'd,andshameofpovertyYetunimagin'd—ShinenotallthefieldsWithvariousfruitage?murmurnotthebrooksAlongtheflow'ryvallies?They,content,Feastedatnature'shand,indelicate,Blithe,intheireasytaste;andonlysoughtToknowtheirduties;thattheironlystrife,Theirgen'rousstrife,andgreatlytoperform.Theythroughallshapesofperilandofpain,Intentonhonour,dar'dinthickestdeathTosnatchthegloriousdeed.NorTrebiaquell'd,NorThrasymene,norCannae'sbloodyfield,Theirdauntlesscourage;stormingHannibalInvainthethunderofthebattleroll'd,Thethunderofthebattletheyreturn'dBackonhisPunickshores;'tillCarthagefell,Anddangerfledafar.Thecitygleam'dWithpreciousspoils:alasprosperity!Ahbanefulstate!yetebb'dnotalltheirstrengthInsoftluxuriouspleasures;prouddesireOfboundlesssway,andfev'rishthirstofgold,Rous'dthemagaintobattle.BeauteousGreece,Tornfromherjoys,invainwithlanguidarmHalfrais'dherrustyshield;norcouldavailTheswordofDacia,northeParthiandart;Noryetthecarofthatfam'dBritishchief,WhichsevenbraveyearsbeneaththedoubtfulwingOfvict'ry,dreadfulroll'ditsgridingwheelsOverthebloodywar:theRomanarmsTriumph'd,'tillFamewassilentoftheirfoes.Andnowtheworldunrivall'dtheyenjoy'dInproudsecurity:thecrestedhelm,Theplatedgreaveandcorselethungunbrac'd;Norclank'dtheirarms,thespearandsoundingshield,Butontheglitt'ringtrophytothewind.Dissolv'dineaseandsoftdelightstheylie,'Tillev'rysunannoys,andev'rywindHaschillingforce,andev'ryrainoffends:FornowtheframenomoreisgirtwithstrengthMasculine,norinlustinessofheartLaughsatthewinterstorm,andsummerbeam,Superiortotheirrage:enfeeblingviceWitherseachnerve,andopenseveryporeTopainfulfeeling:flow'rybow'rstheyseek(Asaetherprompts,asthesicksenseapproves)OrcoolNympheangrots;ortepidbaths(TaughtbythesoftIonians)they,alongThelawnyvale,ofev'rybeauteousstone,Pileintheroseatairwithfondexpence:Throughsilverchannelsglidethevagrantwaves,Andfallonsilverbedscrystallinedown,Melodiousmurmuring;whileluxuryOvertheirnakedlimbs,withwantonhand,Shedsroses,odours,shedsunheededbane.Swiftistheflightofwealth;unnumber'dwants,Broodofvolupt'ousness,cryoutaloudNecessity,andseekthesplendidbribe.Thecitronboard,thebowlemboss'dwithgems,Andtenderfoliagewildlywreath'daroundOfseemingivy,bythatartfulhand,CorinthianThericles;whate'erisknownOfrarestacquisition;Tyriangarbs,NeptunianAlbion'shightestaceousfood,Andflavour'dChianwineswithincensefum'dToshakePatricianthirst:forthese,theirrightsInthevilestreetstheyprostitutetosale;Theirancientrights,theirdignities,theirlaws,Theirnativegloriousfreedom.Istherenone,Istherenovillain,thatwillbindtheneckStretch'dtotheyoke?theycome;themarketthrongs.Butwhohasmostbyfraudorforceamass'd?Whomostcancharmcorruptionwithhisdoles?Hebethemonarchofthestate;andlo!Didius,vileus'rer,throughthecrowdhemounts,DidiusJulianus,whoboughttheempire.BeneathhisfeettheRomaneaglecow'rs,Andtheredarrowsfillhisgraspuncouth.OBritons,Omycountrymen,beware,Gird,girdyourhearts;theRomansoncewerefree,Werebrave,werevirtuous.—Tyrannyhowe'erDeign'dtowalkforthawhileinpageantstate,Andwithlicentiouspleasuresfedtherout,Thethoughtlessmany:tothewantonsoundOffifesanddrumstheydanc'd,orintheshadeSungCaesar,greatandterribleinwar,ImmortalCaesar!lo,aGod,aGod,Hecleavestheyieldingskies!CaesarmeanwhileGatherstheoceanpebbles;orthegnatEnrag'dpursues;orathislonelymealStarvesawideprovince;tastes,dislikes,andflingsTodogsandsycophants:aGod,aGod!Theflow'ryshadesandshrinesobscenereturn.ButseealongthenorththetempestswellO'ertheroughAlps,anddarkenalltheirsnows!SuddentheGothandVandal,dreadednames,Rushasthebreachofwaters,whelmingallTheirdomes,theirvilla's;downthefestivepiles,DownfalltheirParianporches,gildedbaths,Androllbeforethestormincloudsofdust.Vainendofhumanstrength,ofhumanskill,Conquest,andtriumph,anddomain,andpomp,Andeaseandluxury!Oluxury,Baneofelatedlife,ofaffluentstates,Whatdrearychange,whatruinisnotthine?Howdoththybowlintoxicatethemind!TothesoftentranceofthyrosycaveHowdostthoulurethefortunateandgreat!Dreadfulattraction!whilebehindtheegapesTh'unfathomablegulphwhereAshurliesO'erwhelm'd,forgotten;andhigh-boastingCham;AndElam'shaughtypomp;andbeauteousGreece;Andthegreatqueenofearth,imperialROME.