THEY -- who have seen the noble Roman's scorn Break forth at thought of laying down his head, When the blank day is over, garreted In his ancestral palace, where, from morn To night, the desecrated floors are worn By feet of purse-proud strangers; they -- who have read In one meek smile, beneath a peasant's shed, How patiently the weight of wrong is borne; They -- who have heard some learned Patriot treat Of freedom, with mind grasping the whole theme From ancient Rome, downwards through that bright dream Of Commonwealths, each city a starlike seat Of rival glory; they -- fallen Italy -- Nor must, nor will, nor can, despair of Thee! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WASHINGTON'S MONUMENT, FEBRUARY, 1885 by WALT WHITMAN THE OLD BRIDGE by AUGUSTE ANGELLIER THE KNITTING by MARGARET BARBER EDITHA by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS SEARCHLIGHTS by MILDRED SUTTON BRENEMAN |