Founder of time and all therein,
With thee our prayers and vows begin,
Janus, thou glorious god,
Too mean of yore was thine abode,
For through thine arch as by a road
Rome's hurrying myriads trod;
Where'er thy fourfold face doth turn
A forum now mayst thou discern;
Thy shrine may none profane.
For Caesar's gift, a boon so great,
Keeps fast for aye thine iron gate
In sign that peace doth reign.