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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ROMAN RUINS, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How could rome live so long, and now be dead? Last Line: Little to please, and nought to bless mankind. Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord Subject(s): Rome, Italy; Ruins | |||
How could Rome live so long, and now be dead? How came this waste and wilderness of stones? How shows the orbed monster, so long fed On martyr-blood, his bare and crumbling bones? Did the strong Faith, that built eight hundred years Of world-dominion on a robber's name, Once animate this corse, and fervent seers Augur it endless life and shadeless fame? Stranger! if thou a docile heart dost bring Within thee, bear a timely precept hence; That Power, mere Power, is but a barren thing, Even when it seems most like omnipotence; The forms must pass, -- and past, they leave behind Little to please, and nought to bless mankind. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VIGNETTES OVERSEAS: 6. RUINS OF PAESTUM by SARA TEASDALE WHERE A ROMAN VILLA STOOD, ABOVE FREIBURG' by MARY ELIZABETH COLERIDGE THE RAVAGED VILLA by HERMAN MELVILLE HYMN AMONG THE RUINS by OCTAVIO PAZ OZYMANDIAS by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY |
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