"In every vista showed a grave,
and 'neath the grave the glare of Hell;

"Till all Life's Po'esy sinks to prose;
romance to dull Real'ity fades;
"Earth's flush of gladness pales in gloom
and God again to man degrades.

"Then the lank Arab foul with sweat,
the drainer of the camel's dug,
"Gorged with his leek-green lizard's meat,
clad in his filthy rag and rug,

"Bore his fierce Allah o'er his sands
and broke, like lava-burst upon
"The realms where reigned pre-Adamite Kings,
where rose the Grand Kayanian throne.*

* Kayani--of the race of Cyrus; old Guebre heroes.

"Who now of ancient Kayomurs,
of Zal or Rustam cares to sing,
"Whelmed by the tempest of the tribes
that called the Camel-driver King?

"Where are the crown of Kay Khusraw,
the sceptre of Anushirwan,
"The holy grail of high Jamshid,
Afrasiyab's hall?--Canst tell me, man?