Page:Felicia Hemans in The New Monthly Magazine Volume 40 1834.pdf/30



Italia!—oh! no more Italia now! Scarce of her form a vestige dost thou wear; She, a bright queen with glory mantled! Thou, A slave, degraded and compelled to bear!

Chains gird thy hands and feet; deep clouds of care Darken thy brow, once radiant as thy skies; And shadows, born of terror and despair— Shadows of death have dimmed thy glorious eyes.

Italia!—oh! Italia now no more! For thee my tears of shame and anguish flow, And the glad strains my lyre was wont to pour Are changed to dirge-notes; but my deepest woe Is, that base herds of thine own sons the while Behold thy miseries with insulting smile.