Dennis, George: The cities and cemeteries of Etruria: in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1848)

THE CITIES AND CEMETERIES

ETRURIA.

CHAPTER XXX.

CI VITA VECCHJUL—CMNTUM CELLM ■

Ad CentumceHas forti defleximus Austro;

Tranquilla puppes in statione sedent.
Molibus sequoreum concluditur amphitheatrum,

Angustosque aditus insula facta tegit;
Attollit geminas tares, bifidoque meatu,

Faucibus arctatis pandit utrumque latus.
Nee posnisse satis laxo navalia porta,

Ne vaga vel tutas rentilet aura rates.
Interior medias sinus invitatus in sedes

Instabilem Axis aera nescit aquis.

RtrriLins.

Whoeter has approached the Eternal City from the sea
must admit the fidelity of the above picture. As Civita
Vecchia was 1400 years since, so is it now. The artificial
island, with its twin-towers at the mouth of the port; the
long moles stretching out to meet it; the double passage,
narrowed almost to a closing of the jaws; the amphi-
theatre of water within, overhung by the houses of the
town, and sheltered from every wind—will be at once
recognised. It would seem to have remained in statu
quo ever since it was built by Trajan. Yet the original

VOL. II. B