With now great shows of pride—with arrogance
That goes before destruction—that her fall
May more increase her shame. The future grows —
Drear characters, as written on a wall —
In fiery lines before me; and I read
The rise of thousands who shall follow me,
Each emulous of vengeance fell as mine,
By mine at first begotten. Yet why gaze
In profitless survey of the work of years,
Inevitable to the prescient soul,