14

All evils here contaminate the mind,

That opulence departed leaves behind;

For wealth was theirs—nor far remov’d the date

When commerce proudly flourish’d through the state,

At her command the palace learn’d to rise,

Again the long-fall’n column sought the skies,

The canvas glow’d beyond even nature warm,

The pregnant quarry teem’d with human form;

Till, more unsteady than the southern gale,

Commerce on other shores display’d her sail,

While nought remain’d of all that riches gave,

But towns unmann’d, and lords without a slave—

slave—

15

And late the nation found, with fruitless skill,

Its former strength was but plethoric ill.

Yet, still the loss of wealth is here supplied

By arts, the splendid wrecks of former pride:

From these the feeble heart and long-fall’n mind

 Prev. P 21/189 next