Page:Tales and Historic Scenes.pdf/159

Rh

She woke—to view the dread array Of Scythians rushing to their prey, To hear her streets resound the cries Pour'd from a thousand agonies! While the strange light of flames, that gave A ruddy glow to Tiber's wave, Bursting in that terrific hour From fane and palace, dome and tower, Reveal'd the throngs, for aid divine Clinging to many a worshipp'd shrine; Fierce fitful radiance wildly shed O'er spear and sword, with carnage red, Shone o'er the suppliant and the flying, And kindled pyres for Romans dying.

Weep, Italy alas! that e'er Should tears alone thy wrongs declare! The time hath been when thy distress Had roused up empires for redress! Now, her long race of glory run, Without a combat Rome is won, And from her plunder'd temples forth Rush the fierce children of the north,