Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 2.djvu/72

38 Here giant weeds a passage scarce allow

To Halls deserted, portals gaping wide:

Fresh lessons to the thinking bosom, how

Vain are the pleasaunces on earth supplied;

Swept into wrecks anon by Time's ungentle tide!

XXIV.

Behold the hall where chiefs were late convened!N4

Oh! dome displeasing unto British eye!

With diadem hight Foolscap, lo! a Fiend,

A little Fiend that scoffs incessantly,

There sits in parchment robe arrayed, and by

His side is hung a seal and sable scroll,

Where blazoned glare names known to chivalry,

And sundry signatures adorn the roll,

Whereat the Urchin points and laughs with all his soul.