On Receiving the Bull of Pope Leo X., Declaring Him a Heretic, and
an Enemy of the Church of Rome.
THE die is cast! The die is cast!
The fatal Rubicon is passed!
And I am now thy foe at last,
Proud Rome!
And as the Carthaginian swore
Against thy State eternal war,
So do I swear, high Heaven before,
Proud Rome!
The might of Christendom may be
Galled with thy yoke of slavery
And kiss their chains! But I am free!
Proud Rome!
Yes! Undismayed at thy renown,
I scorn thy favour and thy frown,
I trample on thy triple crown,
Proud Rome!
O thou hast held o’er many a land
Fell Superstition’s iron hand;
But thou shalt lose thy high command,
Proud Rome!
Yes! thou shalt fall! ’tis Heaven’s decree!
And happy shall that mortal be
Who lives thy ruin dire to see,
Proud Rome!
Here one poor Saxon stands alone
Thy firm but feeble foe – aye, one!
But myriads shall assail thy throne,
Proud Rome!
And He whose brightness gives them light,
Shall hurl thee from thy giddy height,
And turn thy glory into night,
Proud Rome!
I see the dawn of that bright day!
I see the darkness flee away,
And Christ assert his rightful sway,
Proud Rome!
Then hurl thy vengeance on my head!
Rack all my joints, my heart’s blood shed!
Men shall be free when I am dead,
Proud Rome!
(John Dunmore Lang)
More Poetry from John Dunmore Lang:
John Dunmore Lang Poems based on Topics: Man, Night, Christianity, Light, War & Peace, Jesus Christ, Happiness, Enemy, Slavery- The King And The Abbot. (John Dunmore Lang Poems)
- My Dream. (John Dunmore Lang Poems)
- Ode To Glasgow College (John Dunmore Lang Poems)
- Verses - III (John Dunmore Lang Poems)
- The Female Convict's Death. (John Dunmore Lang Poems)
- The Irish Stew. (John Dunmore Lang Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Night Poems, Light Poems, War & Peace Poems, Christianity Poems, Happiness Poems, Jesus Christ Poems, Slavery Poems, Enemy PoemsBased on Keywords: leo, carthaginian, rubicon