Rome has been dead these many hundred years -- Of all the might which thrust her bronze-clad men, Clamoring And storming to the ends of all the earth, Not strength enough is left today to lift A locust's wing. And yet she lives forever. Would you speak, She offers you the word. And would you build, On her pages Lies beauty deathless. Would you make a law, Rome whispered in Napoleon's ear a code For the ages. In overwhelming chaos everywhere Slouched the stupendous years, unnamed, unnoted. Even Greece afar Gave them but moon-guides, till stern Rome, aware, Ordered their march and gave the echoing world The calendar. There is a curving road from Engadine Whose Roman stones attest the centuries. Roman tools Made safe between its wild and steep escarpments The traveler of today. Forget the Caesars? -- Rome still rules. |