The Heaven-commissioned histories that round him rung!
Then had he crushed the Conq’ror to the dust—
And trod the dabbled sword beneath his feet—
Cast the crown downward as a thing accurst,
And fled as pestilence the monarch’s seat!
Then had the gilded helm and warrior steed
Been banished, as the necromance of dreams—
The sceptre spurned as some unwelcome reed,
Nor clutched as the gemmed wonder that it seems!
Then had the world seen rest—and with its years