Classic Poem

Behold the crumbled mass that here
Spreads o'er the ground its vast extent;
To crime unspeakable 'twas near,
Yet is the ruin innocent.

Beneath the arch its master lay,
The ponderous roof-tree overhead,
And thence he scarce was borne away
Ere fell the mass in ruin dread.

Whilst he was there, each mouldering wall,
Each straining stone, the weight endured;
Ah Regulus, it dared not fall
Until thy safety was assured.

Now as we shrink in fear to see
How nigh the dreadful peril came,
We know the Gods have care of thee
And kept the ruin free from blame.