126 POMPEIT. 



The gate unclos'd, as if by recent hand ; 



The hearth, where yet the guardian Lares stand ; 



Still on the wall the words * of welcome shine, 



And ready vases f proffer joyous wine : 



But where the hum of men ? the sounds of life ? 



The Temple's pageant, and the Forum's strife? 



The forms and voices, such as should belong 



To that bright clime, the land of Love and Song ? 



How sadly echoing to the stranger's tread, 



These walls respond, like voices from the dead. 



And sadder traces — darker scenes are there, 



Tales of the tomb, and records of Despair; 



In Death's chill grasp unconscious arms enfold 



The fatal burthen of their cherish'd gold ;|: ; 



Here, wasted relics, as in mockery, dwell 



Beside some treasure lov'd in life too well ; 



There, faithful hearts have moulder'd side by side, 



And hands are clasped that Death could not divide ! 



None, none shall tell that hour of fearful strife. 



When Death must share the consciousness of Life ; 



When sullen Famine, slow Despair consume 



The living tenants of the massive tomb ; 



Long could they hear above th' incumbent plain, 



The music of the breeze awake again, 



The wave's deep echo on the distant shore. 



And murmuring streams, that they should see no more ! 



Away ! dread scene ! and o'er the harrowing view 



Let Night's dim shadows fling their darkest hue ! 



But there, if still beneath some nameless stone, 



By waving weeds and ivy-wreaths o'ergrown. 



Lurk the grey spoils of Poet or of Sage, 



Tully's deep lore, or Livy's pictured page ; 



If sweet Menander, where his relics fade, 



Mourn the dark refuge Oblivion's shade ; 



Oh ! may their treasures burst the darkling mine ! 



Glow in the living voice, the breathing line 



Their vestal fire our midnight lamp illume 



And kindle Learning's torch from sad Pompeii's tomb ! 



* On many of the walls the word Salve is carved over the door. 



t The amphorae which contained wine still remain, and the marble slabs are 

 marked with cups and glasses. — Eustace. 



t At the door of the court of one of the houses skeleton^ were foimd, one 

 with a key, another with a purse.— Eustace. 



