THIS rock was once the seat of pomp and power; Here rest the chiefs of olden time, And here the orator sublime Shed on their willing ears his golden shower. Here stood their temple in its beauty's blaze, When like a thing of light it rose, And proudly on their dazzled foes So brightly beamed, it quelled their daring gaze. Here stood Minerva with her guardian shield, And from her threatening lance Shot such a lightning glance, None dared to try the heaven-protected field. Here genius, glory, piety, were shrined, And hence that spirit flew, Whose wing has hurried through The darkened world, and fired the inglorious mind. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IT COULDN'T BE DONE by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST MARTHY VIRGINIA'S HAND [SEPTEMBER 17, 1862] by GEORGE PARSONS LATHROP MINNIE AND WINNIE by ALFRED TENNYSON BUCK O' KINGWATTER by ROBERT ANDERSON OF CARLISLE EPIGRAM by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS |