Then Assyria, Babylonian

Night beneath her hell-lit lids.

Greece, in classic white, sidereal

Armored; Rome, in dark, imperial

Purple, crowned with blood and fire,

Down the deeps barbaric strode;

Gaul and Britain stalking by her,

Clad in skins, tattooed with woad.

All around them, rent and scattered,

Lay their gods with features battered,