In Umbria
(" Faunc, Nymplaarum fugientum aviator."
—HORACE, Odes HI, 18.)
FAUNUS, lover of the flying Nymphs, Fleeing himself before the steps of Hunger, Here, on the terraced hill become one field, Among the rocks whose bases blunt the plow And toss the waves of wheat aside, has gathered His family of flowers and timid lives.
The veteran olives round the ridge encamp And lift scarred arms of threat, but storm it not.
Man's hungry generations vex and pill This good primeval lord, and sit in siege Against his refuge, yet for fostering airs Of blossomtide and harvest need his favour, And therefor hold their blustering lush battalions Back from the flinty isle whose sudden rampart Shatters the rim of cultivation's sea.
The blind-worm whips through the low-sweeping brake Of cistus and genista ; through the stars Of yellow orchis the green lizard rustles ;
With sentinel eyes grape-hyacinth guards the steep ; And Faunus grips his ancient empire fast.
EDWARD THOMPSON.
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