Where blasphemy reigned supreme at one time, Now, sacred to worship, pure, heart-felt and true, Is blest with a Presence old ages ne’er knew. Here the gospel is preached, undefiled as of yore, By Science, so called, to false doctrines the door, For the Scriptures, first penned for the comfort of men, Are read by the light of the Spirit again.” “Do the people to image or crucifix bow, Or the priests for all crimes absolution allow?” “From your question, my friend, I judge that you came From some other planet, unknown yet by name, Or perhaps may have slumbered, unconscious of time, While the world was restored in its innocent prime. Come then to the halls where Science combined, With truth and religion enlighten the mind, Where genius, art and sound reason are found, And errors of schoolmen no longer abound. Superstition has fled, like the mists of the night, Dispersed when the sun comes in glorious light. Rome, once the foul den of crime, lust and sin, Is purged from all evil, her precincts within, Remain then and see what treasures untold They who witness Messiah’s blest advent, behold.” “Time presses,” I said, “in an hour I must start In an ocean-bound steamer, ready to part. Thanks for all I have seen and have heard thee declare; And now, to the New World, glad tidings I bear, That the kingdoms of earth all acknowledge the Lord, Redeemed and restored by his life giving word.” We parted--then taking some newly-formed shoes, For swift and sure travel on water to use, I passed down the Tiber--not yellow as when Its stained turbid wave, washed valley and glen, But sparkling, fresh, clear and pure as the dew That on every spray reflects heaven’s own blue. White villas, temples and towns lined the shore, And the gondolier sung, as he dipped his light oar, While the hills echoed back the sweet solemn hymn, From morning’s first dawn, ’till the daylight grew dim. With long rapid strides o’er the waters I sped And distanced the sea-gulls that flew o’er my head; Soon the wide river entered a rich, grassy plain Where its fresh waters mingled with those of the main. There, lay the fair vessel with quivering wings Like a bird on the tree-top that flutters and sings, Just ready to soar through the measureless sky, O’er mead, hill and vale, and precipice high. The clarion rung--we left Italy’s shore, And the old classic sea were fast flying o’er; In a day we touched Cadiz--that bold rocky height Where the guns of Gibraltar once blazed in the fight, But now streaming with flags from every clime, In token that Peace held dominion sublime. ’Twas dusk--a brilliant red rocket flew high O’er the vertical wall far up in the sky, While another swept down in the ocean below And lingered long after in roseate glow.