Page:The Vanity of Human Wishes - Johnson (1749).djvu/32

 He comes, nor Want nor Cold his Course delay; Hide, blushing Glory, hide Pultowa's Day: The vanquish'd Hero leaves his broken Bands, And shews his Miseries in distant Lands; Condemn'd a needy Supplicant to wait, While Ladies interpose, and Slaves debate. But did not Chance at length her Error mend? Did no subverted Empire mark his End? Did rival Monarchs give the fatal Wound? Or hostile Millions press him to the Ground? His Fall was destin'd to a barren Strand, A petty Fortress, and a dubious Hand; He left the Name, at which the World grew pale, To point a Moral, or adorn a Tale.


 * All Times their Scenes of pompous Woes afford,

From Persias Tyrant to Bavarias Lord. Rh