TADDEO GADDI built me. I am old, Five centuries old. I plant my foot of stone Upon the Arno, as Saint Michael's own Was planted on the dragon. Fold by fold Beneath me as it struggles, I behold Its glistening scales. Twice hath it overthrown My kindred and companions. Me alone It moveth not, but is by me controlled. I can remember when the Medici Were driven from Florence: longer still ago The final wars of Ghibelline and Guelf. Florence adorns me with her jewelry; And when I think that Michael Angelo Hath leaned on me, I glory in myself. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES IN THE MOONLIGHT by THOMAS HARDY TO MRS. THRALE [ON HER COMPLETING HER THIRTY-FIFTH YEAR] by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) AN ODE IN IMITATION OF ALCAEUS by WILLIAM JONES GENTLEMEN-RANKERS by RUDYARD KIPLING ON THE SOUL by PUBLIUS AELIUS HADRIANUS |