Page:Felicia Hemans in Baillie's Collection of Poems from Living Authors.pdf/2



night in Babylon,—yet many a beam Of lamps, far glittering from her domes on high, Shone, brightly mingling in Euphrates' stream, With the clear stars of that Chaldean sky, Whose azure knows no cloud:—each whisper'd sigh Of the soft night-breeze through her terrace-bowers Bore softer tones of joy and melody, O'er an illumin'd wilderness of flowers; And the glad city's voice went up from all her towers.

But prouder mirth was in the blazing hall, Where, midst adoring slaves, a gorgeous band! High at the stately midnight-festival, Belshazzar sat enthron'd!—there luxury's hand Had shower'd around all treasures that expand Beneath the burning East;—all gems that pour The sun-beams back;—all sweets of many a land, Whose gales waft incense from their spicy shore; But mortal pride look'd on, and still demanded more.