In these retirements Superstition drew The breath of life; these solitary caves Round which the wint'ry winds rush murmuring, 685 These forked peaks, which far into the vale 690 Her incoherent words, and call'd the sounds 695 The voice of prophecy; anon they rear'd A temple, rudely fashion'd from the trunk Of bay and laurel, and o'erarch'd with leaves, And there they worshipp'd her, and long ador'd The virgin whom they hail'd their Deity. How faded Delphi's glory! Broken walls, F 700 All that remains of that imperious Queen Of cities, whose prophetic voice, sent forth • Trace the vast temple's circuit, on whose breast Amidst the ruin'd stadium, where the weed Waves to the wind; then call up Fancy's pow'r, 'And bid her animate the desert scene.' 705 710 These rocks, now echoing with the eagle's scream, 715 Have oft reverberated the loud pray'rs Of suppliants, whose long processions, rob’d In purple garments, scal'd the sacred heights Of Dian or of Bacchus; far beneath Apollo's temple, from its massive roof Of burnish'd gold, threw back the rays of morn, 720 725 Deep in yon vale the youthful combatants Practis'd their martial sports, and form'd their limbs Resting from labour, made these cliff's resound With songs of Io Paan,' whilst their bard, 730 The mighty Pindar, from his iron throne, Drew forth the raptures of the sacred hymn In honour of the Pythian Deity. 735 740 Such were her scenes in peace, and when her glens Rang with the trumpet's clangour; when the might Of Persia came, and hop'd with impious rage To tear her trophies from the hallow'd walls, The Gods contended for their holy shrines. Thick darkness veil'd the temples, and the brows Of these stern crags gather'd the storm which burst Upon th' invader; light'nings flash'd from Heav'n, And earthquakes rock'd the ground, and in the shock The voice of her protecting God was heard Calling to vengeance'; then these riven rocks 745 Roll'd on the foes and crush'd them: then the clouds, Op'ning their murky folds, pour'd a broad stream Of dazzling light upon the marble fanes; And midst the Heav'nly splendour there were seen 750 Now gloomy scenes, and recollections dark 755 760 Across her breast, fell at the victor's feet; When to the nuptial feast of Harmony The Gods descended, and thy walls arose Fall'n are the tow'rs from which thy chieftains view'd The wave of crested warriors roaring hoarse, 775 Rous'd by the storm of battle; and beheld, Midst moving clouds of dust, the brazen field Light'ning with spears; and heard the champed bits At thy sev'n gates his stern defiance breath'd. O'er thy time-eaten battlements the sands Have pass'd, and swept thee from the face of Greece, Unwept, unpitied-for that thou wert found Rang'd in Oppression's ranks against the band Of sacred Liberty, and thy dark soul 780 785 790 |