And for its mantle weaves a fringe of gold;

Ye gaze on it admiring and enchanted—

Yet know not whence its airy structure rose!

If it breathe incense from some holy altar,

Or earth-born vapours from the teeming soil,

When rain from Heav'n descends—if fiery breath

Of battle, or the darkly rolling smoke

Of conflagration, thus its giant towers

Pile on the sky—ye care not, but enjoy

Its form and glory,—Thus it is with art!