Lionel Johnson, Sortes Virgilianae, To John Barlas, from The Bibelot, Volume X, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Swinburne, rare poetry, rare prose, free online text, e-book, 20th century English literature, online text, free e-book, on www.elfinspell.com (Bibelot10JohnsonSortes)

From The Bibelot, A Reprint of Poetry and Prose for Book Lovers, chosen in part from scarce editions and sources not generally known, Volume X, Testimonial Edition, Edited and Originally Published by Thomas B. Mosher, Portland, Maine; Wm. Wise & Co.; New York; 1904; p. 86.

SORTES VIRGILIANAE.

To John Barlas.

LORD of the Golden Branch, Virgil; and Cæsar’s friend:
Leader of pilgrim Dante! Yes: things have their
            tears.
So sighed thy song, when down sad winds pierced to
            thine ears
Wandering and immemorial sorrows without end.
And things of death touch hearts, that die: Yes: but
            joys blend,
And glories, with out little life of human fears:
Rome reigns, and Cæsar triumphs! Ah, the Golden
            Years,
The Golden Years return: this also the Gods send.

O men, who have endured an heavier burden yet!
Hear you not happy airs, and voices augural?
For you, in these last days by sure foreknowledge set,
Looms no Italian shore, bright and imperial?
Wounded and worn! What Virgil sang, doth God forget?
Virgil, the melancholy, the majestical.

III. POEMS BY LIONEL JOHNSON.

SORTES VIRGILIANAE.

To John Barlas.

1891.

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