The Ruins Of Rome/XXVI

XXV

The Ruins Of Rome ~ XXVI written by Joachim Du Bellay translated by A. S. Kline

XXVII

Les Antiquités de Rome - XXVI.

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XXVI
Who would demonstrate Rome’s true grandeur,
In all her vast dimensions, all her might,
Her length and breadth, and all her depth and height
Needs no line or lead, compass or measure:

He only need draw a circle, at his leisure,
Round all that Ocean in his arms holds tight,
Be it where Sirius scorches with his light,
Or where the northerlies blow cold forever.

Rome was the world, and all the world is Rome.
If naming like things alike may bring it home,
The name of Rome why bother to employ?

Name but the land and sea, your map unfurled,
Since world, itself, for Rome, you may deploy,
For a map of Rome’s a map of all the world.