The Childhood of Rome

Sing a song of little words, homely parts of speech, Phrases children use at play, songs that mothers teach,— Who would think when Rome was new, they used that language then— Table, chair and family, map and chart and pen?

Sing a song of stately ways, camp and square and street, Consuls, tribunes, governors, the legion’s myriad feet, If those wise men so long ago had not known what to say, All they gave us readymade we should not have to-day.

Clear and straight and brief their talk in country or in town. Lucid, vivid, accurate the thoughts that they set down. Still the world is using words that bear the Roman stamp— Coined in forum, villa, temple, market place or camp. Still our thoughts take day by day those shapes of long ago— If you read the dictionary you will find it’s so.