Where millions live their horrid lives
by making other millions die.

How with a heart that would through love
to Universal Love aspire,
Man woos infernal chance to smite,
as Min'arets draw the Thunder-fire.

How Earth on Earth builds tow'er and wall,
to crumble at a touch of Time;
How Earth on Earth from Shinar-plain
the heights of Heaven fain would climb.

How short this Life, how long withal;
how false its weal, how true its woes,
This fever-fit with paroxysms
to mark its opening and its close.

Ah! gay the day with shine of sun,
and bright the breeze, and blithe the throng
Met on the River-bank to play,
when I was young, when I was young:

Such general joy could never fade;
and yet the chilling whisper came
One face had paled, one form had failed;
had fled the bank, had swum the stream;

Still revellers danced, and sang, and trod
the hither bank of Time's deep tide,