The poor worm winds its way,
Living upon the death of other things,
But still, like them, must live and die, the subject
Of something which has made it live and die.
Living upon the death of other things,
But still, like them, must live and die, the subject
Of something which has made it live and die.
Byron
_Arn. _ Devil!
_Caes. _ Your obedient humble servant.
_Arn. _ Say _master_ rather. Thou hast lured me on,
Through scenes of blood and lust, till I am here. 20
_Caes. _ And where wouldst thou be?
_Arn. _ Oh, _at_ peace--_in_ peace!
_Caes. _ And where is that which is so? From the star
To the winding worm, all life is motion; and
In life _commotion_ is the extremest point
Of life. The planet wheels till it becomes
A comet, and destroying as it sweeps
The stars, goes out.
The poor worm winds its way,
Living upon the death of other things,
But still, like them, must live and die, the subject
Of something which has made it live and die. 30
You must obey what all obey, the rule
Of fixed Necessity: against her edict
Rebellion prospers not.
_Arn. _ And when it prospers----
_Caes. _ 'Tis no rebellion.
_Arn. _ Will it prosper now?
_Caes. _ The Bourbon hath given orders for the assault,
And by the dawn there will be work.
_Arn. _ Alas!
And shall the city yield? I see the giant
Abode of the true God, and his true saint,
Saint Peter, rear its dome and cross into
That sky whence Christ ascended from the cross, 40
Which his blood made a badge of glory and
Of joy (as once of torture unto him),--
God and God's Son, man's sole and only refuge!
_Caes. _ 'Tis there, and shall be.
_Arn.
