Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO ROME; BURIED IN ITS RUINS, by FRANCISCO GOMEZ DE QUEVEDO Y VILLEGAS


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TO ROME; BURIED IN ITS RUINS, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Stranger, 'tis vain! Midst rome thou seek'st for rome
Last Line: Which seemed so fleet and fugitive remains.
Alternate Author Name(s): Quevedo, Francisco Gomez De; Quevedo, Francisco De
Subject(s): Rome, Italy


STRANGER, 't is vain! midst Rome thou seek'st for
Rome
In vain; thy foot is on her throne -- her grave:
Her walls are dust; Time's conquering banners
wave
O'er all her hills; hills which themselves entomb.
Yes! the proud Aventine is its own womb;
The royal Palatine is ruin's slave;
And medals, moldering trophies of the brave,
Mark but the triumphs of oblivious gloom.
Tiber alone endures, whose ancient tide
Worshipped the Queen of Cities on her throne
And now, as round her sepulchre, complains.
O Rome! the steadfast grandeur of thy pride
And beauty all is fled; and that alone
Which seemed so fleet and fugitive remains.




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