Poem by Anna Seward

Sonnet 83. Here, from laborious Art, proud Towns, ye rose!

  ON CATANIA AND SYRACUSE
  SWALLOWED UP BY EARTHQUAKE.

  FROM THE ITALIAN OF FILACAJA.

Here, from laborious Art, proud Towns, ye rose!
    Here, in an instant, sunk!—nor ought remains
    Of all ye were!—on the wide, lonely plains
    Not e'en a stone, that might these words disclose,
“Here stood Catania;”—or whose surface shows
    That this was Syracuse:—but louring reigns
    A trackless DESOLATION.—Dim Domains!
    Pale, mournful Strand! how oft, with anxious throes,
Seek I sad relics, which no spot supplies!—
    A Silence—a fix'd Horror sears my soul,
    Arrests my foot!—Dread Doom of human crimes,
What art thou?—Ye o'erwhelmed Cities, rise!
    That your terrific skeletons may scowl
    Portentous warning to succeeding Times!

1. Sonnet 75. He found her not;—yet much the Poet found
2. Sonnet 78. Sophia tempts me to her social walls
3. Sonnet 44. Rapt Contemplation, bring thy waking dreams
4. Sonnet 1. When Life's realities the Soul perceives
5. Sonnet 90. My hour is not yet come!—these burning eyes

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