The Hill Cities.

All along the line of mountains That begin at Narni’s towers, Stand the grey and brown hill cities, ’Midst the sunshine and the showers. Each a tower of strength itself, Well walled and machicolated, Or for Ghibelline or Guelph, Each ’twixt each interpolated; Now for Kaiser, now for Pope, Narni, Terni, and Spoleto. From its crag or hilly slope Tremi faces Montefalco, By Topino sits Foligno, Assisi of the stony street, Almost at its base is Spello Where the chalk and limestone meet. Here the rain-clouds veil the mountain, Here the sunbeams chase the sleet, And the rivers fill the fountain Grey in proud Perugia’s street. Perugia, April, 1912.