Lynchburg Virginian

POETRY.

From the New York American.

THE RESIGNATION OF SYLLA.

Day broke on Rome—another morning came,
Where fell the noblest of the Roman name,
To fire its radiance o'er her crimson'd wall
In vain attempt to save their father's hall.
Died they as warriors die, who nobly fall,
Their latest breath expiring in the call
From the foul imprint of a foeman's tread—
Whose fell ambition heaped them with the dead?
For vengeance on the bold invader's head.
Ah! no. For them the lictor's axe and rod
Was stained the deepest with ensanguined dye;
The meanest foot on Rome's proud nobles trod:
Plebeian hands were waved in mockery
O'er those, stern Sylla's mandate doomed to die.
Day's orb, one cheering sunbeam glanced
Upon the axe's downward blow. The next ray
Shone.
From that red rock, in silence wrapt, afar,
Proud Rome's still prouder, sterner tyrant stood—
His hand God's noblest work had dared to mar—
Still do such thoughts within his bosom brood—
To crimson Italy's green sward with blood.
That rugged breast beneath a mightier theme
Now heaves—its native fierceness all subdued
Wilder than feverish mortal's wildest dream,
Like slumber's fetters melt beneath the morning beam.
He plans not now the legion's onward course
Where steel gleams flash upon the shrinking sight,
And armed men falter at the battle's force,
Forgetful of the name they won in fight,
When the fierce Scythian quailed before their might.
He seeks not burning conquest's dazzling wreath;
The mob's base plaudits ring not in his ear;
He dooms no rival to a shameful death.
And rebel plots arouse no throb of fear
He casts his sceptred bauble down without a tear.
He comes forth from the Forum—come alone;
His swarthy brow unclouded, from his stride
As when he trod fierce Marius' legions down
Before the city walls, in conquering pride;
Breathless, the crowd before his form divide.
No shout to hail the warrior who bore
To Victory the Roman eagles on,
Ran from that gathered crowd the welkin o'er.
The thronged street echoed to no whispered tone,
Awe-struck, they viewed the tyrant turn his blood-bought throne.
ALP.