Classic Poem

SCENE II .

Above the splendor of the brazen gates,
Above the walls of hieroglyphic brick,
Where three war-chariots manned could run abreast,
Above the parapets of inlaid gold,
Above the porticoes with cedar beamed,
Above the arches, terraces and all
The matchless masonry of the regal town,
Arose the hanging gardens, blessed with birds
And many jutting fountains, and great oaks,
Ay, musical at eve with moaning palms;
For they were fashioned in this wise to cheer
Nebuchadnezzar's ever holy wife,
Sweet Amyitis, who was mountain-born,
Far on the Empire's borders, and she yearned
For leagues of grass and shadows of great trees.
And Babylon, the queen of arts and arms,
Of mirth and warfare, and all glorious things,
Was unto her a monster girt in brass,
Cursed by a stinging sun, a thing to hate.
Therefore the grandsire of Bel-shar-uzzur,
To win his spouse's rapture, builded these,
Causing the world to marvel and to cry:
" Hail to great Babylon, the queen of towns! "

Here played the queen with maidens from her land,
Jeweled with breastplates and tiaras rare,
And with her birds, and gems, and amulets,
She dreamed of glory and Summuramit,
Besprent with star-shaped ornaments to show
Her origin divine was from the stars,
She being the daughter of a Midian king.
And as she mused she heard the soldiers sing
Upon the parapets far, far below.