Poems (Mary Coleridge)/Poem 106

CVI WHERE A ROMAN VILLA STOOD, ABOVE FREIBURG
On alien ground, breathing an alien air,A Roman stood, far from his ancient home,And gazing, murmured, " Ah, the hills are fair,   But not the hills of Rome!"
Descendant of a race to Romans kin,Where the old son of Empire stood, I stand.The self-same rocks fold the same valley in,   Untouched of human hand.
Over another shines the self-same star,Another heart with nameless longing fills,Crying aloud, "How beautiful they are,   But not our English hills!"