In one wild night the city fell;

Fell shrines of prayer and marts of gain,

Before the fiery hurricane.

16. On threescore spires had sunset shone,

Where ghastly sunrise looked on none.

Men clasped each other's hands, and said,

"The City of the West is dead!"

17. Brave hearts who fought in slow retreat,

The fiends of fire from street to street,

Turned powerless to the blinding glare,