When here with Carthage Rome to conflict came,[124] An earthquake, mingling with the battle’s shock, Checked not its rage;[125] unfelt the ground did rock, Sword dropped not, javelin kept its deadly aim.-- Now all is sun-bright peace. Of that day’s shame, 5 Or glory, not a vestige seems to endure, Save in this Rill that took from blood the name[126] Which yet it bears, sweet Stream! as crystal pure. So may all trace and sign of deeds aloof From the true guidance of humanity, 10 Thro’ Time and Nature’s influence, purify Their spirit; or, unless they for reproof Or warning serve, thus let them all, on ground That gave them being, vanish to a sound. [124] The Carthaginian general Hannibal defeated the Roman Consul C. Flaminius, near the lacus Trasimenus, 217 B.C., with a loss of 15,000 men. (See Livy, book xxii. 4, etc.)--ED. [125] Compare _Hannibal, A Historical Drama_, by the late Professor John Nichol, act II. scene vi. p. 107-- Here shall shepherds tell To passing travellers, when we are dust, How, by the shores of reedy Thrasymene, We fought and conquered, while the earthquake shook The walls of Rome. ED. [126] Sanguinetto.--W.W. 1845. XIII NEAR THE SAME LAKE For action born, existing to be tried, Powers manifold we have that intervene To stir the heart that would too closely screen Her peace from images to pain allied. What wonder if at midnight, by the side 5 Of Sanguinetto or broad Thrasymene,[127] The clang of arms is heard, and phantoms glide, Unhappy ghosts in troops by moonlight seen; And singly thine, O vanquished Chief![128] whose corse, Unburied, lay hid under heaps of slain: 10 But who is He?--the Conqueror. Would he force His way to Rome? Ah, no,--round hill and plain Wandering, he haunts, at fancy’s strong command, This spot--his shadowy death-cup in his hand.[129] [127] Lake Thrasymene is the largest of the Etrurian lakes, being ten miles in length and three in breadth.--ED. [128] C. Flaminius.--ED. [129] After the battle of Lake Thrasymene, Hannibal did not push on to Rome, but turned through the Apennines to Apulia, just as subsequently after the battle of Cannas he remained inactive.--ED. XIV THE CUCKOO AT LAVERNA[130] MAY 25TH 1837 [Among a thousand delightful feelings connected in my mind with the voice of the cuckoo, there is a personal one which is rather melancholy. I was first convinced that age had rather dulled my hearing, by not being able to catch the sound at the same distance as the younger companions of my walks; and of this failure I had a proof upon the occasion that suggested these verses. I did not hear the sound till Mr. Robinson had twice or thrice directed my attention to it.]