Part 21 (1/2)
The golden head was Babylon; she pa.s.sed: Persia came next, the silvern breast: whereto Joined brazen flank and belly--these are you, Ye men of Macedon! Now Rome's the last.
Rome on two iron legs towered tall and vast; But at her feet were toes of clay, that drew Downfall: those scattered tribes erewhile she knew For lords; now 'neath her fatal sway they're cast.
Ah thirsty soil! From your parched fallow fumes A smoke of pride, vain-glory, cruelty, That blinds, infects, and blackens, and consumes!
To Daniel, to the Bible you refuse Your rebel sense; for it is still your use To screen yourself with lies and sophistry.
XLVIII.
_THE DUNGEON._
_Come va al centro._
As to the centre all things that have weight Sink from the surface: as the silly mouse Runs at a venture, rash though timorous, Into the monster's jaws to meet her fate: Thus all who love high Science, from the strait Dead sea of Sophistry sailing like us Into Truth's ocean, bold and amorous, Must in our haven anchor soon or late.
One calls this haunt a Cave of Polypheme, And one Atlante's Palace, one of Crete The Labyrinth, and one h.e.l.l's lowest pit.
Knowledge, grace, mercy, are an idle dream In this dread place. Nought but fear dwells in it, Of stealthy Tyranny the sacred seat.
XLIX.
_THE SAGE ON EARTH._
_Sciolto e legato._
Bound and yet free, companioned and alone, Loud mid my silence, I confound my foes: Men think me fool in this vile world of woes; G.o.d's wisdom greets me sage from heaven's high throne.
With wings on earth oppressed aloft I bound; My gleeful soul sad bonds of flesh enclose: And though sometimes too great the burden grows, These pinions bear me upward from the ground.
A doubtful combat proves the warrior's might: Short is all time matched with eternity: Nought than a pleasing burden is more light.
My brows I bind with my love's effigy, Sure that my joyous flight will soon be sped Where without speech my thoughts shall all be read.
L.
_THE PRICE OF FREEDOM._
_D' Italia in Grecia._
From Rome to Greece, from Greece to Libya's sand, Yearning for liberty, just Cato went; Nor finding freedom to his heart's content, Sought it in death, and died by his own hand.
Wise Hannibal, when neither sea nor land Could save him from the Roman eagles, rent His soul with poison from imprisonment; And a snake's tooth cut Cleopatra's band.
In this way died one valiant Maccabee; Brutus feigned madness; prudent Solon hid His sense; and David, when he feared Gath's king.
Thus when the Mystic found that Jonah's sea Was yawning to engulf him, what he did He gave to G.o.d--a wise man's offering.
LI.
_APOLOGY BY PARADOX._