Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/71

Rh victory of the good and the divine,—I cannot describe what I felt!

I approached the black wooden cross which stands in the middle of the Colosseum, and read upon it that “Whoever kissed this cross would obtain absolution for the sins of two hundred days.” This was the mark of the Popedom, and the mark of a power which binds and which unbinds—not with the keys of the Spirit. The sign, too, that the triumphing of the light, of the spirit, over the letter, is not yet completed. But blow, thou warm, fresh wind; and shine, thou bright sun, and the day will come! Another day, one of my first in Rome—weary of seeking the prose of life, I emancipated myself from the labor, and set off to seek for beauty and refreshment. I went to the opposite side of ancient Rome, of the Capitol and Forum; went in the direction of the Porta del Popolo, which was built thus magnificently, says the inscription, in order to celebrate the entrance of the Swedish ex-Queen Christina into Rome. On the right of the square (del Popolo), as one comes from the Corso, is a mound, which is ascended by broad paths, planted with trees, and ornamented with marble statues, both ancient and modern. One of these is that of Hygea, which invites thee here to cast away care, and to seek for rest and refreshment after the burden of the day. And there is scarcely any spot on earth to be found which will better aid thee in doing so than the enchanting garden of Monte Pincio. There, upon the summit, thou wilt find thyself in the most beautiful grounds, amongst all