At chink of bell and push of arrased door.

O pale departure, dim disgrace of day!

Winter's in wane, his vengeful worst art thou,

To dash the boldness of advancing March!

Thy chill persistent rain has purged our streets

Of gossipry; pert tongue and idle ear

By this, consort 'neath archway, portico.

But wheresoe'er Rome gathers in the gray,

Two names now snap and flash from mouth to mouth—

(Sparks, flint and steel strike)—Guido and the Pope.