Of future horror to befall us so,

Of mortal wreck and uttermost distress,

Yea, our poor empire's fall and overthrow,

For this was my long vision's dreadful stress,

And when I waked my trouble was not less."

XIV.

"Whenever to the clouds I tried to seek,

Such leaden weight dragg'd these Icarian wings,

My faithless wand was wavering and weak,

And slimy toads had trespass'd in our rings—