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


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO ITALY, by                    
First Line: Italy! Italy! Thou who 'rt doomed to wear / the fatal gift of beauty
Last Line: Victor or vanquished, slave forever more.
Alternate Author Name(s): Filicaia, Vincenzo Da
Subject(s): Italy; Italians


Italy! Italy! thou who'rt doomed to wear
The fatal gift of beauty, and possess
The dower funest of infinite wretchedness
Written upon thy forehead by despair;
Ah! would that thou wert stronger, or less fair.
That they might fear thee more, or love thee less,
Who in the splendor of thy loveliness
Seem wasting, yet to mortal combat dare!
Then from the Alps I should not see descending
Such torrents of armed men, nor Gallic horde
Drinking the wave of Po, distained with gore,
Nor should I see thee girded with a sword
Not thine, and with the stranger's arm contending,
Victor or vanquished, slave forever more.





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