Listen to the Podcast

Transcription Tuesday XV: Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage – Pride of Rome

Ariana Malthaner

Continuing with Isabella’s interest in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, we have another two stanzas from Canto IV, these two discussing the destruction of Rome and its notable buildings: the Coliseum and the Pantheon.

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage Canto IV CXLV-CXLVI

“While stands the Coliseum, Rome shall stand;

When falls the Coliseum, Rome shall fall;

And when Rome falls – the World.” From our own land

Thus spake the pilgrims o’er this mighty wall

In Saxon times, which we are wont to call

Ancient; and these three mortal things are still

On their foundations, and unalter’d all;

Rome and her ruin past redemption’s skill,

The world, the same wide den -of thieves,

Or what ye will.

Simple, erect, severe, austere, sublime –

Shrine of all saints, and temple of all gods,

From Jove to Jesus – spared and blest-by time;

Looking tranquility, while falls or nods

Arch, empire, each thing round thee, and man plods

His way through thorns to ashes – glorious dome!

Shalt thou not last? Time’s scythe and tyrants’ rods

Shiver upon thee – sanctuary and home

Of art and piety – Pantheon! – pride of Rome!