Page:The Yellow Book - 05.djvu/286

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The Sword of Cæsar Borgia

By Richard Garnett, LL.D., C.B.

"Aut Cæsar aut nihil"

Well hath the graver traced thee, sword of mine!Here Cæsar by the Rubicon's slow deeps Ponders; here resolute to empire leaps,And far and near the smitten waters shine.
The vanquished train's interminable line Wends at his wheels up Capitolian steeps; And round the interlacing legend creeps,Cæsar or nothing! saith Duke Valentine
And did I bare thee to the sun, my blade, Fired at the flash all Italy should thrill, And many a city quake and province bow.Yet is a drop within this vial stayed That should the might of marching armies still, And stainless sheathe ten thousand such as thou.
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