The Land of the Forum and the Vatican; Or, Thoughts and Sketches During an Easter Pilgrimage to Rome (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1854. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... "Thus sternly does my spirit rise Above dark fear and dread; Once more its wonted fires flash out, Ere ye count me with the dead "I'll meet the foe as warrior ought, With bearing firm and proud; And nought but the mail shall my limbs enfold 'Till ye wrap them in the shroud. ' Then reach my lance from its resting-place, My helmet from the wall, And seat me on my loftiest couch High in my father's hall. "In the clash of swords my joy hath been, In the battle's bloodiest strife I have caught from the lightning of stirring deeds The glow of my stormy life. "And ne'er to mortal summoning Have I yielded tower or town--Shall I yield at once to the shadowy king, To his viewless lance bow down 1 - "No Death may come in his fiercest form, I quail not to the end, --If the strong pine break beneath the storm, No eye shall see it bend " They placed him high in his trophied hall With his burnish'd armour on, And the warrior-fire in his deepen'd eye With dauntless lustre shone. He seem'd to hear the measured step Of a banner'd host draw near, And the sound of the trumpet's gathering call Peal'd loud on his list'ning ear. And then to the daring of single fight His rigid nerves were strung, And with steady aim that spear was couch'd Which on many a shield had rung. And the serfs stood round, who the headlong might Of the conflict oft had shared, But they felt that before their Chieftain's soul Had never so proudly dared. 'Twas a dark array that fill'd that hall, For stern thoughts mingled there--Defiance of the power of Death, Awe of Death's challenger. Love's fond eye wept not o'er the scene, --Long had that form been fled On whom alone with kindly light His soften'd smile was shed. And long within the warrior's heart Had waned affection's light; But the beam of valo...