THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

NEAR THE LAKE OF THRASYMENE

When here with Carthage Rome to conflict came,[124]

An earthquake, mingling with the battle's shock,

Checked not its rage;[125] unfelt the ground did rock,

Sword dropped not, javelin kept its deadly aim.--

Now all is sun-bright peace. Of that day's shame,

Or glory, not a vestige seems to endure,

Save in this Rill that took from blood the name[126]

Which yet it bears, sweet Stream! as crystal pure.

So may all trace and sign of deeds aloof

From the true guidance of humanity,

Thro' Time and Nature's influence, purify

Their spirit; or, unless they for reproof

Or warning serve, thus let them all, on ground

That gave them being, vanish to a sound.

[124] The Carthaginian general Hannibal defeated the Roman Consul C. Flaminius, near the lacus Trasimenus, 217 B.C., with a loss of 15,000men. (See Livy, book xxii. 4, etc.)--ED.

[125] Compare Hannibal, A Historical Drama, by the late ProfessorJohn Nichol, act II. scene vi. p. 107--

Here shall shepherds tell

To passing travellers, when we are dust,

How, by the shores of reedy Thrasymene,

We fought and conquered, while the earthquake shook

The walls of Rome.ED.

[126] Sanguinetto.--W.W. 1845.