Anticipating fate—since it must fall,

That Cross must fall at last! There is no power,

No hope within this city of the grave,

To keep its place on high. Her sultry air

Breathes heavily of death, her warriors sink

Beneath their ancient banners, ere the Moor

Hath bent his bow against them; for the shaft

Of pestilence flies more swiftly to its mark,

Than th’ arrow of the desert. Even the skies

O’erhang the desolate splendour of her domes