Miscellaneous poems and translations :: :: University of Virginia Library

High on Mount Hæmus stood the dreadful Pile,
Worthy the Site and Genius of the Soil,
Steel did the Structure of the Dome compose,
Steel were the Sides, of Steel the Portal rose;

Strong from the Walls the fierce Effulgence plays,
And checks the feebler Sun's recoiling Rays.
First daring Rapine in the Front appears,
Cloak'd Treason, Anger red, and pallid Tears,
The Traytor-Friend a lurking Dagger wore,
And Discord's Hand the Sword of Variance bore;
Unnumber'd Terrors menac'd loud within,
Rough the dire Noise, and clatt'ring was the Din.
Right in the midst distrest Misfortune stood,
And laughing Madness, and Death grim with Blood:
The Gore of Armies round his Altar flows,
Whose hallow'd Flame from burning Cities glows.
The Dome's high Top the Spoils of Nations grace,
And form the vaulted Sculpture of the Place,
The Wrecks of Ships, and Cars of shatter'd Steel,
And their dead Master crush'd beneath the Wheel.

Wounds ran with Blood, and Battel seem'd to stare,
Ev'n Sighs and Groans were almost imag'd there:
Amidst each Portrait in the dire Abode
The surly genuine Frown confess'd the God,
Such did the warrior Image gruffly low'r,
Such stood the stern Effect of Vulcan's Pow'r.