Odoacer

Once the Seven Hills sawthe grim Goths at the gates,boy Augustulus’ lawsfaded with the Fates. Then the sky’s sundial spunfor fifteen hundred yearsand a new Rome had sprungby banks of black Remus’ tears. In fair Mundus Novusby seven swampy hills,a new magnum opusmade real by ink and quill. Shining city on these hills —Columbia she’s called —fair lady of strong willin great white marble walls. In Domus Candidawhere Potomacum flows,over forty Cæsarsuntil Augustus Joe. Then an eastern Zenosent his new Emperor,chosen by red plebeiansto untether her. Our Odoacer Rexrules, a barbarous reign,until New Rome be wrecked —lux æterna fails again.