A MARBLE ruin nigh forgotten Fronts sheer on Naples' bay; The cornice stones are weather-rotten, Stained both by rain and spray. The shifting mounding shore has buried All steps save the top three, To which small waves run up like hurried Sly kisses of the sea. The fluted columns crevice-jointed Must totter every storm. Bird-droppings have the eaves anointed, Blunted each moulding's form. With pavement chequer-rich sand-whitened, Tell-tale to flaws of wind.. With walls, that once gay pictures brightened, Blank as an old man's mind.. For fisher's painted boat 'tis stable, Festooned with nets and cords, Littered with dead-eyes, ends of cable, Crab-baskets, boat-hooks, boards. A wreckage mast, its only rafter, Supports an old tanned sail. Here Venus dwelt who so loved laughter; Here now chinks flute and wail; Here once the pirate-Pompey's seaman Offered her shells and gold; Here oft, flogged slave or pious leman Complained that hearts are sold. No more here marble limbs shall glisten, Nor carved face smile here more, And, bending forward half to listen, Prompt those who mute adore. Yet, though he call no goddess mother, A child bathed here to-day Who, naked, was as Cupid's brother, So sturdy, arch, and gay! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BALLAD OF SARSFIELD; OR, THE BURSTING OF THE GUNS by AUBREY THOMAS DE VERE TWO RIVERS by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS' (2) by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI LYRICS AND EPICS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A CITY PIPER by MORRIS ABEL BEER DEPARTURE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |