Classic Poem

ON THE CRUSADE OF THE EMPEROR AGAINST THE INFIDEL, AND THE POPE'S RETURN TO ROME

The proud successor of Charlemagne, whose hair
The crown of his great ancestor adorns,
Already takes up arms to break the horns
Of Babylon and her children everywhere;
And Christ's pure vicar, with his load to bear
Of keys and cloak, returning home (if thorns
Of some ill stop him not till he returns)
Shall see Bologna and to Rome repair.
Best to your meek Florentian lamb belongs
The noble conquest of the Wolf; and so
Shall suffer all who speak with traitorous tongues.
Console her then who still to join you longs —
And lingers; console Rome whose groom is slow,
And lift for Christ the sword to end our woe!