Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Italy: Vols. XI–XIII. 1876–79.

Rome, Hills of

The Esquiline

By John Dyer (1700?–1758)

(From Ruins of Rome)

SUFFICE it now the Esquilian mount to reach

With weary wing, and seek the sacred rests

Of Maro’s humble tenement; a low

Plain wall remains; a little sun-gilt heap,

Grotesque and wild; the gourd and olive brown

Weave the light roof; the gourd and olive fan

Their amorous foliage, mingling with the vine,

Who drops her purple clusters through the green.

Here let me lie, with pleasing fancy soothed:

Here flowed his fountain; here his laurels grew;

Here oft the meek good man, the lofty bard,

Framed the celestial song, or social walked

With Horace and the ruler of the world;

Happy Augustus! who so well inspired

Couldst throw thy pomps and royalties aside,

Attentive to the wise, the great of soul,

And dignify thy mind.