19.

Rome

To William Wordsworth


Because I’m restless as a child,
And I wish you to cure my fears,
And there are reasons to know you’re
Not close enough to tears

I will remind you that flowers
And sky, and lakes, and daffodils
Are not sufficient and not near;
They drain you half your power.

The hills, the leas
As I behold them:
So mighty to the eyes!
Do not deserve to be compared
With modest human-kind.

So if you think you can endure
That Mother Nature’s life
Compose a whole
Of which you are part
(And not superior to)

Your power can be twice as much,
And mellow happiness and joy
(Whatever those words mean),
Will fill your eyes with salt
And you’ll abandon Rome.