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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SORTES VIRGILIANAE by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: LORD OF THE GOLDEN BRANCH, VIRGIL!

Lord of the Golden Branch, Virgil! and Caesar's friend:

Leader of pilgrim Dante! Yes: things have their tears:

So sighed thy song, when down sad winds pierced to thine ears
Lord of the Golden Branch, Virgil! and Caesar's friend:
Wandering and immemorial sorrows without end.
Leader of pilgrim Dante! Yes: things have their tears:
And things of death touch hearts, that die: Yes: but joys blend,
So sighed thy song, when down sad winds pierced to thine ears
And glories, with our little life of human fears:
Wandering and immemorial sorrows without end.
Rome reigns, and Caesar triumphs! Ah, the Golden Years,
And things of death touch hearts, that die: Yes: but joys blend,
The Golden Years return: this also the Gods send.
And glories, with our little life of human fears:
O men, who have endured an heavier burden yet!
Rome reigns, and Caesar triumphs! Ah, the Golden Years,
Hear you not happy airs, and voices augural?
The Golden Years return: this also the Gods send.
For you, in these last days by sure foreknowledge set,

Looms no Italian shore, bright and imperial?

Wounded and worn! What Virgil sang, doth God forget?
O men, who have endured an heavier burden yet!
Virgil, the melancholy, the majestical.
Hear you not happy airs, and voices augural?
-1891
For you, in these last days by sure foreknowledge set,
Looms no Italian shore, bright and imperial?
Wounded and worn! What Virgil sang, doth God forget?
Virgil, the melancholy, the majestical.




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