The wailing cry of universal death

Shall shake the pillars of eternity!

Still came the multitudes, and still the sea

Of human souls surged round the iron base

Of that mysterious mountain, while afar

The dim circumference was added to

With newer legions. Conquerors of old,

Armored and visored in resplendent steel,

Galloped on Hell-steeds, that with one great bound

Cleared bottomless cañons; then the kings and queens

Of Babylon, shorn of their lofty state,

Came abject, and with terror in those eyes

[4]

That once outshone the world; and after them,

Myriads who reveled at the feast of life,

And when the reeling stupor of their wine

Had loosened, woke and found their souls in Hell.

IV.

What horrid crisis, then, I thought, can bring

The infernal minions to assemble here

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