Page:Poems Blagden.djvu/110

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80
rome from the ripetta.
A people and a leader. More, yet more,
Material progress lends her iron aid;
As Italy unites from shore to shore,
Electric[1] thoughts a fiery pathway tread.

The rival sirens of the opposing seas,
Their lifelong yearning fading in their eyes,
Sing, floating downwards through the freshening breeze
A swan-like dirge, with soft harmonious sighs.

All antique fable and all modern cheat
Crouch in base fear before the flashing storm,
And Science, the archangel, 'neath his feet
Has crushed each falsehood's vile satanic form.

Within the Coliseum's weed-crowned wall,
In immemorial silence mute no more,
Whisper stern voices and the moonbeam's fall,
On phantoms pacing its sepulchral floor.

  1. There was a rumour in 1852 of an electric telegraph at Rome to be connected with two others—one at Ancona, the other at Civita Vecchia.