Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SPANISH STAIRS, by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SPANISH STAIRS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Rome symbol of all change, oh, change not here!
Last Line: By them may mount to heaven, like jacob in his dream.
Subject(s): Spanish Steps, Rome


ROME, symbol of all change, oh, change not here!
Thou, ever avid of beauty, who shall say
Thou hast forsworn it in a vain display
And blare of discord, as though eager ear
Listening for nightingale heard chanticleer?
Oh, leave these sunny stairs, that float and stray
From fountain blithe and flowers' rich array
To beckoning bells and chanting nuns anear.

Of all the dead that loved them, hear that voice
Whose sorrow and last silence once they knew,
Whose spirit guards them with his flaming theme,
The immortal joy of beauty. Oh, rejoice,
And stay thy hand: that future ages, too,
By them may mount to heaven, like Jacob in his dream.





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