Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ITALY, by VINCENZO DA FILICAJA


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ITALY, by                    
First Line: Italia, o italia, upon whom
Last Line: Victress or vanquished, doomed to slavery!
Alternate Author Name(s): Filicaia, Vincenzo Da
Subject(s): Freedom; Italy; Liberty; Italians


ITALIA, O Italia, upon whom
The fatal gift of beauty was bestowed,
Dire heritage of endless woes that loom
Writ clear upon thy forehead, bitter load!
O wert thou stronger or less fair, then he
Haply would fear thee more and love thee less
Who, though to deadly strife provoking thee,
Doth pine, inflamed with thy bright loveliness!
Then down the Alps to-day I'd gaze upon
No armed hosts, hurled in torrential flow,
No Gallic cattle drinking in the Po
Red with thy blood; I would not see thee don
Strange armour, flaunt another's might, Ah me,
Victress or vanquished, doomed to slavery!





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