THE Coliseum lifts at night Its broken cells more proudly far Than in the noonday's naked light, For every rent enshrines a star: On Caesar's hill the royal Lar Presides within his mansion old: Decay and Death no longer mar The moon's atoning mist of gold. Still lingering near the shrines renewed, We sadly, fondly, look our last; Each trace concealed of spoilage rude From old or late iconoclast, Till, Trajan's whispering forum passed, We hear the waters, showering bright, Of Trevi's ancient fountain, cast Their woven music on the night. The Genius of the Tiber nods Benign, above his tilted urn; Kneel down and drink! the beckoning gods This last libation will not spurn. Drink, and the old enchantment learn That hovers yet o'er Trevi's foam, -- The promise of a sure return, Fresh footsteps in the dust of Rome! Kneel down and drink! the golden days Here lived and dreamed, shall dawn again: Albano's hill, through purple haze, Again shall crown the Latin plain. Whatever stains of Time remain, Left by the years that intervene, Lo! Trevi's fount shall toss its rain To wash the pilgrim's forehead clean. Drink, and depart! for Life is just: She gives to Faith a master-key To ope the gate of dreams august, And take from joys in memory The certainty of joys to be: And Trevi's basins shall be bare Ere we again shall fail to see Their silver in the Roman air. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FUNERAL OF YOUTH: THRENODY by RUPERT BROOKE GREENNESS by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE THE METEMPSYCHOSIS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH VILE SPRING! by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER PARLEYINGS WITH CERTAIN PEOPLE OF IMPORTANCE: FUST AND FRIENDS by ROBERT BROWNING A VERMONT BREAKFAST by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY ANELIDA AND ARCITE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER |