“‘Fearless I come and free!—Accept the gift,
“‘Dark Hades!’—leaped the youth—and closed the rift—
“And rolled the cloudless thunder—Jove’s assent
“That Rome’s best jewel to the abyss was sent!
“These are my gems! Each for his country’s weal
“Devote to raging fire, or rending steel—
“So long to live—so soon to die—as she—
“She only!—shall determine and decree!—
“Blest that I am, to call such jewels mine—
“All else to fate contented I resign;