The Prisoned Shepherd
Rome! What a scroll of History thine has been!; In the first days thy sword republican; Ruled the whole world for many an age’s span:; Then of thy peoples thou wert crowned Queen,; Till in thy streets the bearded Goth was seen ; And now upon thy walls the breezes fan; (Ah, city crowned by God, discrowned by man!); The hated flag of red and white and green.; The prisoned shepherd of the Church of God.; When was thy glory! when in search for power; Thine eagles flew to greet the double sun,; And all the nations trembled at thy rod?; Nay, but thy glory tarried for this hour,; The prisoned shepherd of the Church of God.; When pilgrims kneel before the Holy One,; 