ROME! what a scroll of History thine has been <br /> In the first days thy sword republican <br /> Ruled the whole world for many an age's span: <br /> Then of thy peoples thou wert crownèd Queen, <br /> Till in thy streets the bearded Goth was seen; <br /> And now upon thy walls the breezes fan <br /> (Ah, city crowned by God, discrowned by man!) <br /> The hated flag of red and white and green. <br /> When was thy glory! when in search for power <br /> Thine eagles flew to greet the double sun, <br /> And all the nations trembled at thy rod? <br /> Nay, but thy glory tarried for this hour, <br /> When pilgrims kneel before the Holy One, <br /> The prisoned shepherd of the Church of God.<br /><br />Oscar Wilde<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/urbs-sacra-terna/
