Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ROMAN GIRL'S SONG, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ROMAN GIRL'S SONG, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Rome, rome! Thou art no more
Last Line: As thou hast been!
Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea
Subject(s): Rome, Italy; Women


ROME, Rome! thou art no more
As thou hast been!
On thy seven hills of yore
Thou satst a queen.

Thou hadst thy triumphs then
Purpling the street,
Leaders and sceptred men
Bowed at thy feet.

They that thy mantle wore,
As gods were seen --
Rome, Rome! thou art no more
As thou hast been!

Rome! thine imperial brow
Never shall rise:
What hast thou left thee now? --
Thou hast thy skies!

Blue, deeply blue, they are,
Gloriously bright!
Veiling thy wastes afar
With colored light.

Thou hast the sunset's glow,
Rome! for thy dower,
Flushing tall cypress-bough,
Temple and tower!

And all sweet sounds are thine,
Lovely to hear,
While night, o'er tomb and shrine
Rests darkly clear.

Many a solemn hymn,
By starlight sung,
Sweeps through the arches dim,
Thy wrecks among.

Many a flute's low swell,
On thy soft air
Lingers and loves to dwell
With summer there.

Thou hast the south's rich gift
Of sudden song --
A charming fountain, swift,
Joyous and strong.

Thou hast fair forms that move
With queenly tread;
Thou hast proud fanes above
Thy mighty dead.

Yet wears thy Tiber's shore
A mournful mien: --
Rome, Rome! thou art no more
As thou hast been!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net