Impelled by thirst of all but Heaven-taught skill.
Full oft, our wish obtained, deeply we sigh;
Yet not unrecompensed are they who learn,
From that depression raised, to mount on high
With stronger wing, more clearly to discern
Eternal things; and, if need be, defy
Change, with a brow not insolent, though stern.

10

THOSE old credulities, to nature dear,

Shall they no longer bloom upon the stock

Of History, stript naked as a rock

'Mid a dry desert? What is it we hear?

The glory of Infant Rome must disappear,*

Her morning splendours vanish, and their place
Know them no more. If Truth, who veiled her face
With those bright beams yet hid it not, must steer
Henceforth a humbler course perplexed and slow;
One solace yet remains for us who came
Into this world in days when story lacked
Severe research, that in our hearts we know
How, for exciting youth's heroic flame,
Assent is power, belief the soul of fact.

5

10

* Niebuhr, in his Lectures on Roman History (1826-29), was one of the first to point out the legendary character of much of the earlier history, and its "historical impossibility.' He explained the way in which much of it had originated in family and national vanity, etc.-ED.

V

CONTINUED

COMPLACENT Fictions were they, yet the same
Involved a history of no doubtful sense,
History that proves by inward evidence
From what a precious source of truth it came.
Ne'er could the boldest Eulogist have dared
Such deeds to paint, such characters to frame,
But for coeval sympathy prepared

To greet with instant faith their loftiest claim.
None but a noble people could have loved
Flattery in Ancient Rome's pure-minded style :
Not in like sort the Runic Scald was moved;
He, nursed 'mid savage passions that defile
Humanity, sang feats that well might call
For the blood-thirsty mead of Odin's riotous Hall.

5

ΙΟ

VI

PLEA FOR THE HISTORIAN

FORBEAR to deem the Chronicler unwise,
Ungentle, or untouched by seemly ruth,
Who, gathering up all that Time's envious tooth
Has spared of sound and grave realities,
Firmly rejects those dazzling flatteries,
Dear as they are to unsuspecting Youth,

That might have drawn down Clio from the skies
To vindicate the majesty of truth.

Such was her office while she walked with men,*

5

* Clio, daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the first-born of the Muses, presided over History. It was her office to record the actions of illustrious heroes.-ED.

A Muse, who,1 not unmindful of her Sire
All-ruling Jove, whate'er the 2 theme might be
Revered her Mother, sage Mnemosyne,
And taught her faithful servants how the lyre
Should animate, but not mislead, the pen.*

3

ΙΟ

VII

AT ROME

[I have a private interest in this Sonnet, for I doubt whether it would ever have been written but for the lively picture given me by Anna Ricketts of what she had witnessed of the indignation and sorrow expressed by some Italian noblemen of their acquaintance upon the surrender, which circumstances had obliged them to make, of the best portion of their family mansions to strangers.-I. F.]

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

5

By feet of purse-proud strangers; they-who have

read

1

1845.

Her rights to claim, and vindicate the truth.

Her faithful Servants while she walked with men
Were they who, .

1842.

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 1
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!

ΙΟ

VIII

NEAR ROME, IN SIGHT OF ST. PETER'S

LONG has the dew been dried on tree and lawn;
O'er man and beast a not unwelcome boon
Is shed, the languor of approaching noon;
To shady rest withdrawing or withdrawn
Mute are all creatures, as this couchant fawn,
Save insect-swarms that hum in air afloat,
Save that the Cock is crowing, a shrill note,
Startling and shrill as that which roused the dawn.
-Heard in that hour, or when, as now, the nerve
Shrinks from the note 2 as from a mis-timed thing,
Oft for a holy warning may it serve,

Charged with remembrance of his sudden sting,
His bitter tears, whose name the Papal Chair
And yon resplendent Church are proud to bear.

1 1845.

They-who have heard thy lettered sages treat

1842.

5

1Ο

2 1845.

voice

1842.

IX

AT ALBANO *

[This Sonnet is founded on simple fact, and was written to enlarge, if possible, the views of those who can see nothing but evil in the intercessions countenanced by the Church of Rome. That they are in many respects lamentably pernicious must be acknowledged; but, on the other hand, they who reflect, while they see and observe, cannot but be struck with instances which will prove that it is a great error to condemn in all cases such mediation as purely idolatrous. This remark bears with especial force upon addresses to the Virgin.—I. F.]

DAYS passed—and Monte Calvo would not clear
His head from mist; and, as the wind sobbed through
Albano's dripping Ilex avenue,†

My dull forebodings in a Peasant's ear

Found casual vent. She said, "Be of good cheer; 5
Our yesterday's procession did not sue

In vain; the sky will change to sunny blue,
Thanks to our Lady's grace." I smiled to hear,
But not in scorn :-the Matron's Faith may lack
The heavenly sanction needed to ensure
Fulfilment; but, we trust, her upward track 1
Stops not at this low point, nor wants the lure
Of flowers the Virgin without fear may own,
For by her Son's blest hand the seed was sown.

1 1845.

Its own fulfilment ; but her upward track

1842.

ΙΟ

* Albano, 10 miles south-east of Rome, is a small town and episcopal residence, a favourite autumnal resort of Roman citizens. It is on the site of the ruins of the villa of Pompey. Monte Carlo (the Monte Calvo of this sonnet) is the ancient Mons Latialis, 3127 feet high. At its summit a convent of Passionist Monks occupies the site of the ancient temple of Jupiter.-ED.

The ilex-grove of the Villa Doria is one of the most marked features of Albano.-ED.