Who to the world gave laws, now horrible
Night covers her. She perish'd, nor expect
More tokens of her ancient worth to find.
Those mouldering edifices, which the plough
Breaks through in shapeless masses, once they were
Circuses, strong palaces, and theatres;
Proud arches, costly baths, and sepulchres;
Where thou mayst hear perchance, for so 't is said,
In the deep silence of the gloomy shade,
A funeral lament, they only tell
The glory of the people of Quirinus.
And this to future races but remains
The mistress of the world, illustrious Rome!
This and no more remain'd? of all her arts
And dreaded power? What could not aught avail
Her virtue, wisdom, valour, all conjoin'd,
With such her opulence, the law severe
To mitigate, or stay the blows of fate?
Alas! if all is mortal—if to Time
Alike the strong wall and the tender flower
Must yield—if that will bronze and porphyry break,
Destroying them and burying in dust,
For whom so guards unhappy Avarice
His treasuries untouch'd? for whom foretells
Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/157
This page has been validated.
LEANDRO FERNANDEZ MORATIN.
111
