Classic and Contemporary Poetry
APPIAN WAY, by AUBREY DE VERE Poet's Biography First Line: Awe-struck I gazed upon that rock-paved way Subject(s): Italy | ||||||||
AWE-STRUCK I gazed upon that rock-paved way, The Appian Road; marmorean witness still Of Rome's resistless stride and fateful Will, Which mocked at limits, opening out for aye Divergent paths to one imperial sway. The Nations verily their parts fulfil; And War must plough the fields which Law shall till; Therefore Rome triumphed till the appointed day. Then from the Catacombs, like waves, up-burst The Host of God, and scaled, as in an hour, O'er all the earth the mountain seats of Power. Gladly in that baptismal flood immersed The old Empire died to live. Once more on high It sits; now clothed with immortality! ON THE CROSS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE COLISEUM. FAR from his friends, his country, and his home, Perhaps on that small spot-ay doubtless there Some Christian Martyr fell, in one wide stare Concentrating the gaze intense of Rome. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...1851: A MESSAGE TO DENMARK HILL by RICHARD HOWARD TONIGHT THE HEART-SHAPED LEAVES by JAN HELLER LEVI JEWISH GRAVEYARDS, ITALY by PHILIP LEVINE SAILING HOME FROM RAPALLO by ROBERT LOWELL SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW by LISEL MUELLER HOW DUKE VALENTINE CONTRIVED by BASIL BUNTING FRAGMENTS FROM ITALY: 1 by JOHN CIARDI |
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