The dancer points his steps with practised pace; The orator harangues with studied grace; The gamester packs his cards the livelong day; I thus a Sonnet, though worth nothing, trace, Solely to exercise myself this way, If prove the Muse propitious to my lay. It seems to me, dear brother, that Apollo A course divine now does not always follow, Nor please to dictate verses of a tone, Worthy a sponsor such as he to own; But rather would be human, and prefer To prose in rhymes of warmthless character; Without the enthusiasm sublime of old, And down the wings of Pegasus would fold, Not to be borne in flight, but gently stroll’d. You who forgetful of this court now seek Those of the east and north to contemplate, Forgive me, if in envy I may speak, That to indulge it has allow’d you fate The tasteful curiosity! to view With joy the land, so famed and fortunate, Which erst a Tully and a Maro knew, To which Æmilius, Marius service paid, Which Regulus and the Scipios obey’d. Long would it be and idle to recall The triumphs, with their blazonries unfurl’d, Matchless of her, that once of Europe all Was greater part, metropolis of the world. I only ask of you, as you may read, How in Avernus, destined to succeed, Anchises show’d Æneas, in long line, The illustrious shades of those, who were to shine One day the glory of the Italian shore, Now you, more favour’d than the Trojan chief, Not in vain prophecy, but tried belief, From what you see, by aid of history’s lore, To admire the lofty state which Rome possess’d, The which her ruins and remains attest. From our Hispanian clime I cannot scan With you the column of the Antonine, The fane or obelisk of the Vatican, Or the Capitol, and Mount Palatine; I cannot see the churches, or the walls, The bridges, arches, mausoleums, gates, The aqueducts, palaces, and waterfalls, The baths, the plazas, porticos, and halls, The Coliseum’s, or the Circus’ fates; But still the immortal writings ’tis for me, Of Livy, Tacitus, Cicero, to see; I see Lucretius, Pliny, Juvenal, Augustus, Maro and Mæcenas all; With their names is the soul exalted high, Heroic worth and honour to descry; And so much more that model imitates A nation now, so much more to be gain’d, Is seen it but to approach the lofty heights Of splendour, wealth, fame, power, that Rome attain’d.