On the helmed ears around him, like a signal bell!

It had been lifted to the warrior head

Of the whole line of Lombardy; and now

It towered above the marbles of the dead

Upon the unchanging paleness of a brow

That frowned on worlds in mastery. It shone

With sapphire and with emerald without,

In bravery of its radiance alone:

Within that iron band went dark about,

Untouched by grayling Time; tho’ centuries