77
ROME FROM THE RIPETTA.
"We will trust God—the blank interstices
Men take for ruins, He will build into
With pillared marbles rare, or knit across
With generous arches, till the fane’s complete."
—Casa Guidi Windows.
Men take for ruins, He will build into
With pillared marbles rare, or knit across
With generous arches, till the fane’s complete."
—Casa Guidi Windows.
Wilt thou forget that summer evening's shining,
When thou and I, dear friend, together stood,
And silent watched the purple shades declining,
In languid glory, o'er the Tiber's flood?
When thou and I, dear friend, together stood,
And silent watched the purple shades declining,
In languid glory, o'er the Tiber's flood?
One fond last beam yet lingered on the dome,
And welcome gave to each pale star, which rose;
Breathless we stood beneath the spell of Rome—
Inexorable, fathomless repose!
And welcome gave to each pale star, which rose;
Breathless we stood beneath the spell of Rome—
Inexorable, fathomless repose!
On what great secret dost thou brood, O Rome!
Amid the vexèd earth's unquiet stir?
When will Jehovah's lightnings rend thy gloom,
And fire the pregnant elements to war?
Amid the vexèd earth's unquiet stir?
When will Jehovah's lightnings rend thy gloom,
And fire the pregnant elements to war?
