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Thou dost ascend. And Dante, looking, says
To Virgil: "Ne'er a nobler hero form
Did we conceive ...” Then Livy, with a smile,
"To my domain, O poets, he belongs.
"Yea, written in Italian civil story
The record of tenacious daring stands—
Daring that had its root in justice, reached
To loftiest heights, and in the ideal sought light."
Glory to thee, O father! In the grim
Shud'rings of Etna breathes thy lion heart
And in the whirlwinds of the Alps, let loose
Against barbarian foe and tyrant's rule.
Serenely shines from thy calm heart diffused,
Light in the sea's blue laughter and the sky's,
In all the flowering Mays, and o'er the tombs
Of heroes, and their fair memorial marbles.
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