Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Italy: Vols. XI–XIII. 1876–79.

Appendix: Baja (Baiæ)

Baiæ

By Nicholas Michell (1807–1880)

(From Ruins of Many Lands)

BUT Baiæ, soft retreat in days of yore,

Recalls our step, and wooes us to its shore.

Heroes and emperors trod this smiling strand,

And art, song, pleasure reigned, a fairy band.

Here Cæsar stooped his pride to garden bowers,

And stern-browed Marius wreathed his sword with flowers;

Here rich Lucullus gorgeous banquets spread,

And Pollio time in chains of roses led:

Steeped in warm bliss seemed ocean, earth, and sky,

Life one rich dream of love and luxury.