Page:Hemans in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 11 1822.pdf/15



'Twas Antony that bade The joyous chords ring out!—but strains arose Of wilder omen at the banquet's close! Sounds, by no mortal made‡ , Shook Alexandria through her streets that night, And pass'd—and with another sunset's light The kingly Roman on his bier was laid.

Bright midst its vineyards lay The fair Campanian city§, with its tow'rs And temples gleaming through dark olive-bow’rs, Clear in the golden day; Joy was around it as the glowing sky, And crowds had fill'd its halls of revelry, And all the sunny air was music's way.

A cloud came o'er the face Of Italy's rich heaven—its crystal blue Was changed, and deepen'd to a wrathful hue Of night, o'ershadowing space, As with the wings of death!—in all his pow'r Vesuvius woke, and hurl'd the burning show'r, And who could tell the buried city's place?