But they had earthly motives strongly bearing
Them onward in their course, for they believed
That man would honor them. Nor scant nor sparing
Has been the classic fame they have received,
And history still delights to gild her pages
With deeds like theirs from Rome's incipient ages.
But still old Tiber's course hath onward sped,
And other incidents of higher fame
Have on his banks a holy lustre shed,
There Diocletian did his will proclaim—