Rome was not built in a day.

Rome was not built in a day.

I am in Rome! Oft as the morning ray
Visits these eyes, waking at once I cry,
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I am in Rome! Oft as the morning ray
Visits these eyes, waking at once I cry,
Whence this excess of joy? What has befallen me?
And from within a thrilling voice replies,
Thou art in Rome! A thousand busy thoughts
Rush on my mind, a thousand images;
And I spring up as girt to run a race!

Every one soon or late comes round by Rome.

Every one soon or late comes round by Rome.

[Rome] Widow of a King-people, but still queen of the world.
[Fr., Veuve d'un peuple-roi, mais reine encore du read more

[Rome] Widow of a King-people, but still queen of the world.
[Fr., Veuve d'un peuple-roi, mais reine encore du monde.]

What Roman power slowly built, an unarmed traitor instantly
overthrew.
[Lat., Quod tantis Romana manus contexuit annis
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What Roman power slowly built, an unarmed traitor instantly
overthrew.
[Lat., Quod tantis Romana manus contexuit annis
Proditur unus iners angusto tempore vertit.]

See the wild Waste of all-devouring years!
How Rome her own sad Sepulchre appears,
With nodding arches, read more

See the wild Waste of all-devouring years!
How Rome her own sad Sepulchre appears,
With nodding arches, broken temples spread!
The very Tombs now vanish'd like their dead!

Would that the Roman people had but one neck!
[Lat., Utinam populus Romanus unam cervicem haberet!]

Would that the Roman people had but one neck!
[Lat., Utinam populus Romanus unam cervicem haberet!]

When they are at Rome, they do there as they see done.

When they are at Rome, they do there as they see done.

In tears I tossed my coin from Trevi's edge.
A coin unsordid as a bond of love--
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In tears I tossed my coin from Trevi's edge.
A coin unsordid as a bond of love--
And, with the instinct of the homing dove,
I gave to Rome my rendezvous and pledge.
And when imperious Death
Has quenched my flame of breath,
Oh, let me join the faithful shades that throng that fount above.