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Making the cities of imperial name Even as the desart place? Where now the fearless heart, the soul of flame? Thus has their glory closed its dazzling race In one brief hour ? Is this their valour's doom, On distant shores to fall, and find not even a tomb?

Once were they, in their splendour and their pride, As an imperial cedar on the brow Of the great Lebanon! It rose, arrayed In its rich pomp of foliage, and of wide Majestic branches, leaving far below All children of the forest. To its shade The waters tribute paid, Fostering its beauty. Birds found shelter there Whose flight is of the loftiest through the sky, And the wild mountain-creatures made their lair Beneath; and nations by its canopy Were shadowed o'er. Supreme it stood, and ne'er Had earth beheld a tree so excellently fair.