(Meet to proclaim barbaric war-fields won)

Of fierce triumphal sounds, that wildly tell

The Soldan comes within the Cæsars’ halls to dwell!

XCV.

Yes! with the peal of cymbal and of gong,

He comes: the Moslem treads those ancient halls!

But all is stillness there, as death had long

Been lord alone within those gorgeous walls.

And half that silence of the grave appals

The conqueror’s heart. Ay! thus, with triumph’s hour,