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a roman street.
V.
Their memory returned. I seemed to hear
Once more, the tread of armèd hosts—glad cries—
Barbaric triumphs, clashing victories!
Once more, the tread of armèd hosts—glad cries—
Barbaric triumphs, clashing victories!
VI.
But soon the vision fled, for crawling near
A skulking spy on vilest task intent,
Passed by, with roving looks and visage bent.
A skulking spy on vilest task intent,
Passed by, with roving looks and visage bent.
VII.
Cowled and barefooted noiselessly then crept
A bearded monk, with drowsy leering air,
Fingering his beads and muttering his prayer.
A bearded monk, with drowsy leering air,
Fingering his beads and muttering his prayer.
VIII.
Beyond, crouched near the fountain, prostrate slept
A beggar lad; pathetic 'mid his torn
And abject rags a crimson rose was worn.
A beggar lad; pathetic 'mid his torn
And abject rags a crimson rose was worn.
IX.
And still a shadow of the Roman pride,
A stateliness 'mid sorrow, I could trace,
Though soiled and crushed, on his defeatured face.
A stateliness 'mid sorrow, I could trace,
Though soiled and crushed, on his defeatured face.
