DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0026
8 THE LANDSCAPE ANNUAL.
it necessary to enter into negotiations for peace. Va-
rious states offered to act as arbitrators, and, by the
mediation of the French, the republic was induced to re-
sign the two priests to the judgments of the church, and
the ill-satisfied pontiff to accept of this tribute to his
authority, and agree to remove the excommunication,
though Venice retained all her laws and boasted inde-
pendence undiminished. Thus
Thro’ many an age in the mid-sea she dwelt,
From her retreat calmly contemplating
The changes of the Earth, herself unchanged.
Before her passed, as in an awful dream,
The mightiest of the mighty. What are these,
Clothed in their purple ? O’er the globe they Hing
Their monstrous shadows; and, while yet we speak,
Phantom-like, vanish with a dreadful scream !
What—but the last that styled themselves the Caesars?
And who in long array (look where they come;
Their gestures menacing so far and wide)
Wear the green turban and the heron’s plume?
Who—but the Caliphs? followed fast by shapes
As new and strange—Emperor, and King, and Czar,
And Soldan, each, with a gigantic stride,
Trampling on all the flourishing works of peace
To make his greatness greater, and inscribe
His name in blood—some, men of steel, steel-clad;
Others, nor long, alas, the interval,
In light and gay attire, with brow serene
Wielding Jove’s thunder, scattering sulphurous fire
Mingled with darkness; and, among the rest,
Lo, one by one, passing continually,
Those who assume a sway beyond them all;
Men grey with age, each in a triple crown,
And in his tremulous hands grasping the keys
That can alone, as he would signify,
Unlock Heaven’s gate.
Rogers.
it necessary to enter into negotiations for peace. Va-
rious states offered to act as arbitrators, and, by the
mediation of the French, the republic was induced to re-
sign the two priests to the judgments of the church, and
the ill-satisfied pontiff to accept of this tribute to his
authority, and agree to remove the excommunication,
though Venice retained all her laws and boasted inde-
pendence undiminished. Thus
Thro’ many an age in the mid-sea she dwelt,
From her retreat calmly contemplating
The changes of the Earth, herself unchanged.
Before her passed, as in an awful dream,
The mightiest of the mighty. What are these,
Clothed in their purple ? O’er the globe they Hing
Their monstrous shadows; and, while yet we speak,
Phantom-like, vanish with a dreadful scream !
What—but the last that styled themselves the Caesars?
And who in long array (look where they come;
Their gestures menacing so far and wide)
Wear the green turban and the heron’s plume?
Who—but the Caliphs? followed fast by shapes
As new and strange—Emperor, and King, and Czar,
And Soldan, each, with a gigantic stride,
Trampling on all the flourishing works of peace
To make his greatness greater, and inscribe
His name in blood—some, men of steel, steel-clad;
Others, nor long, alas, the interval,
In light and gay attire, with brow serene
Wielding Jove’s thunder, scattering sulphurous fire
Mingled with darkness; and, among the rest,
Lo, one by one, passing continually,
Those who assume a sway beyond them all;
Men grey with age, each in a triple crown,
And in his tremulous hands grasping the keys
That can alone, as he would signify,
Unlock Heaven’s gate.
Rogers.