And countless as the flames in ages gone,

Streaming to heaven’s bright queen from shadowy Lebanon!

XLIII.

But all is stillness now. May this be sleep

Which wraps those Eastern thousands? Yes! perchance

Along yon moonlit shore and dark-blue deep,

Bright are their visions with the Houri’s glance,

And they behold the sparkling fountains dance

Beneath the bowers of paradise that shed

Rich odours o’er the faithful; but the lance,