Yearned from the walls of Troy and yearned in vain:
Through all these lands triumphant eagles led
Rome’s legions, and peace followed after them
With civil order and restraint of laws.
But Rome herself, circled by seven hills,
Astride the Tiber’s fluctuating gold,
Though less of girth was greater than all these,
Not through dominion over them, but in
The civic sense, which quickened in her sons
Grave dignity, and reticence, and care: