Page:Carducci - Poems of Italy.djvu/42

 Thou dost ascend. And Dante, looking, says To Virgil: "Ne'er a nobler hero form Did we conceive ...” Then Livy, with a smile, "To my domain, O poets, he belongs.

"Yea, written in Italian civil story The record of tenacious daring stands— Daring that had its root in justice, reached To loftiest heights, and in the ideal sought light."

Glory to thee, O father! In the grim Shud'rings of Etna breathes thy lion heart And in the whirlwinds of the Alps, let loose Against barbarian foe and tyrant's rule.

Serenely shines from thy calm heart diffused, Light in the sea's blue laughter and the sky's, In all the flowering Mays, and o'er the tombs Of heroes, and their fair memorial marbles. 36