Page:Carducci - Poems of Italy.djvu/41



Mentana saw proclaimed the ages' shame, Cæsar's and Peter's infamous embrace; Thou hast, O Garibaldi, at Mentana On Peter and on Cæsar set thy foot.

O thou, of Aspromonté splendid rebel, O glorious victor of Mentana thou, Come then, and tell Palermo's tale and Rome's Unto Camillus in the Capitol!"—

Thus a mysterious voice of spirits ran Solemnly through the Italian sky that day When all the vile lamented in their fright— Curs that shrank cowering from the avenging lash.

Now, Italy adores thee. A new Rome Is hailing thee her latest Romulus. Thou dost ascend, divine one; round thy head There cannot come the silences of death.

Over the common gulf of little souls Refulgent art thou, by the ages called Up to the lofty heights and councils pure Of gods and heroes watching o'er our land. 35