321.
How much the grandeur of thy rising state
Owes to the Neros, Rome imperial! say,
Witness Metaurus, and the dismal fate
Of vanquished Asdrubal, and that glad day
Which first, auspicious, as the darkness fled,
O’er Latium’s face a tide of glory shed.
Through wide Hesperia’s tow’ring cities, crush’d
With hideous fall and desolation dire,
Impetuous, wild the Carthaginian rush’d;
As through the pitchy pines destructive fire
Devours its course, or howling Eurus raves,
And posting sweeps the mad Sicilian waves.