Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Holland: Vols. XIV–XV. 1876–79. | | | | Spain: Lerida (Ilerda) | | Ilerda | | Lucan (39–65 A.D.) |
| | (From Pharsalia, Book IV)
Translated by Nicholas Rowe
WHERE rising grounds the fruitful champaign end, | |
| And unperceived by soft degrees ascend, | |
| An ancient race their city chose to found, | |
| And with Ilerda’s walls the summit crowned. | |
| The Sicoris, of no ignoble name, | 5 |
| Fast by the mountain pours his gentle stream. | |
| A stable bridge runs cross from side to side, | |
| Whose spacious arch transmits the passing tide, | |
| And jutting piers the wintry floods abide. | |
| Two neighboring hills their heads distinguished raise: | 10 |
| The first great Pompey’s ensigns high displays; | |
| Proud Cæsar’s camp upon the next is seen; | |
| The river interposing glides between. | |
| Wide spread beyond, an ample plain extends, | |
| Far as the piercing eye its prospect sends: | 15 |
| Upon the spacious level’s utmost bound, | |
| The Cinga rolls his rapid waves around. | |
| But soon in full Iberus’ channel lost, | |
| His blended waters seek Iberia’s coast; | |
| He yields to the superior torrent’s fame, | 20 |
| And with the country takes his nobler name. | | | | |
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