Page:Rosalind and Helen (Shelley).djvu/88

74 Broad, red, radiant, half reclined On the level quivering line Of the waters chrystalline; And before that chasm of light, As within a furnace bright, Column, tower, and dome, and spire? Shine like obelisks of fire, Pointing with inconstant motion From the altar of dark ocean To the sapphire-tinted skies; As the flames of sacrifice From the marble shrines did rise, As to pierce the dome of gold Where Apollo spoke of old.

Sun-girt City, thou hast been Ocean's child, and then his queen; Now is come a darker day, And thou soon must be his prey, If the power that raised thee here Hallow so thy watery bier. A less drear ruin then than now,